IN FOR A TORRID TIME
Malaysia may face World Cup stars at Asian Games
SOUTH Korea’s striker Son Heung-Min, who wrecked Germany’s World Cup hopes with a goal in Russia, may terrorise Malaysia at the Asian Games next month.
That is if Son is given leave by Tottenham Hotspur to turn out for South Korea at the Games.
Malaysia are drawn with South Korea, Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain in the Asian Games in Indonesia.
The football event at the Asiad will see Asian powerhouses rallying all their stars to fight for the prestigious gold medal.
Even though football competition at the Games is open to Under-23 players, each competing teams can field three over age players.
South Korea are reportedly trying to include Tottenham Hotspur striker Son Heung-Min along with Daegu FC goalkeeper Cho Hyun-Woo in their squad, both of whom played a starring role in eliminating holders Germany from the group stage during the World Cup.
This in itself is a clear indication of just how tough competition will be for Ong Kim Swee’s charges in Group E which includes Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain.
Apart from South Korea, other teams who recently featured in the World Cup that will be playing in Indonesia include Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, all of whom will most certainly call upon players who featured in Russia in their quest for gold.
However even before competition can begin, Kim Swee has a tough task ahead in getting the best U-23 and overage players released from their respective teams to be part of the team bound for Indonesia.
This is because the duration of competition for the Games is from August 14 to Sept 1 which clashes with the Malaysia Cup campaign.
“We know the quality of players such as Son Heung-Min who have experienced playing at the highest level against some of the best teams in the world, and just like the other teams, South Korea will try to field their best team for the Games, so this goes to show just how serious competition is for the Asian Games.
“I believe that with the presence of big name players, especially those who recently featured at the World Cup, competition will be very tough and it will definitely elevate the football event of the Games to a higher level.
“So we have to make use of such an opportunity not just to gain valuable experience but to field out best team as well,” stressed Kim Swee.