Hodak praises team despite defeat
NATIONAL youth coach Bojan Hodak admitted South Korea are a technically far more accomplished team as the hosts swatted Malaysia 3-0 in Paju yesterday to qualify for next year’s AFC Under-19 Championship.
The Koreans ended the qualifying campaign top of Group F with the maximum 12 points and without conceding a goal in four matches, while Malaysia finished second on nine points.
Whether Malaysia will be among the 16 teams competing in Indonesia next year will only be known after all 10 qualifying groups are over with the five best runners-up joining the pool winners at the finals.
Hodak said he was satisfied with Malaysia’s performance in all four matches, including the defeat to Korea, who he described as one of the best youth teams in Asia.
“We did not park the bus as some might have expected,” said Hodak.
“They were technically better though we also had three good chances to score.
“They scored three quality goals but neither team could play at the same high tempo in the second half as they did in the first as this was the fourth match for both teams.”
Hadi Fayyadh Razak, one of the few Malaysians able to match the towering Korean players, steered wide in the fifth minute from close range which was Malaysia’s best chance of the match.
Malaysia were punished for that miss when Um Won Sang used his height to head in the opener in the 11th minute.
Kim Jung Min then managed to sneak behind the Malaysian defence and slot past Azri Ghani in the 38th minute.
Cho Young Wook converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time for the third goal after A. Shivan Pillay tripped the striker.
“Korea were stronger physically, and the biggest difference was their technical ability,” said Hodak.
“The way they pass and control the ball and their movements without the ball is what helped them to be better and accurate.
“But we managed to challenge them well and overall I am satisfied with the team’s performance although there is always room for improvement.
“It was good exposure and now we wait to see if we have qualified for the finals.” Devinder Singh