Kim Swee has to break Great Wall of China

KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee knows he has to come up with a game plan to spring a surprise on favourites China when they clash in their final Group J match of the 2020 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-23 qualifying round competition today.

With both teams having a maximum of six points each after two matches in the fourteam Group J, a win over China at the Shah Alam Stadium will guarantee Malaysia an automatic spot in the AFC Under-23 Finals in Bangkok next year.

The other two teams in the group are Laos and the Philippines, who have no points on board after losing their first two matches.

Kim Swee is under no illusion about the task ahead, admitting that China, under the guidance of former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink, had proved their superiority by scoring 13 goals and conceding none in two matches - beating Laos 5- 0 last Friday and thrashing the Philippines 8- 0 yesterday.

“So, of course we have to come up with a good game plan. China have scored 13 goals and that shows how good they are. Tomorrow’s game won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible (for us to win) either.

“Like I said before, they are a good team and we are just an average side…but sometimes an average team can create an upset. What is important is that we take on China with one objective... and that is to win so that we can qualify for the Finals (in Bangkok) automatically,” he told reporters after the Harimau Malaya’s laboured 1- 0 win over Laos yesterday.

Malaysia, who defeated the Philippines 3- 0 last Friday, have no choice but to go for a win against China due to their inferior goal difference of nine. — Bernama