KIM SWEE HAS A PLAN
Match against South Korea will be exciting for his charges
NATIONAL Under-23 (U-23) coach Ong Kim Swee does not want to think about how good South Korea are. Instead he is focused on devising the best possible strategy in facing the defending champions in their second Group E match at the Asian Games which takes place today.
According to Kim Swee, South Korea’s 6-0 thrashing of Bahrain in their opening group match was expected as they fielded their best first-eleven.
However, Kim Swee believes that his charges are more than ready mentally to face the mighty South Koreans at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung in a match that promises to be an exciting encounter.
“We know that South Korea are at a different level and that they are the team to beat. We can all see that they don’t have 11 players, but 20 players who can be fielded and who are all top quality players,” Kim Swee pointed out.
“So our mission is very challenging, but we look forward to the match and will be more disciplined when we take to the field.
“Whether it is Kyrgyzstan or South Korea or any other team, we cannot take it easy. We are in a very tough group and the players know that they must be very focused for each and every match.
On Wednesday, Malaysia opened their campaign on a bright note as they overcame Kyrgyzstan 3-1.
It was an important win for the national squad who take on South Korea today and Bahrain on Monday.
Speaking on Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-Min who was not fielded by the South Koreans in their thumping victory over hapless Bahrain, Kim Swee admitted that he does not plan on man-marking the fearsome forward.
“I don’t see why we have to man mark one particular player, but instead we should be vigilant of all the South Korean players. We know that they did not field him (Son Heung-Min) against Bahrain, but they still managed to run riot and score half a dozen goals,” said Kim Swee.
Kim Swee confirmed that defensive stalwart Dominic Tan and promising young forward Akhyar Rashid have picked up slight injuries but it is nothing serious to worry about.