‘SORRY TO ALL THE FANS’
National midfielder Syamer admits loss to Philippines was embarrassing
I have got to say sorry to the fans for losing this match. It’s an embarrassing defeat as our level is much higher than this.”
That was the response from midfielder Syamer Kutty Abba following Malaysia’s shock 1-0 loss to the Philipines in a Sea Games Group A football match at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Friday.
“I am feeling frustrated. However, as a player, I need to fight on together with my teammates for a place in the semi-finals
“Nothing is impossible, and I believe we can make it,” said Syamer.
“We need to move on and focus on our remaining matches. We have not given up. “The players have given everything they have got but the results haven’t been impressive. “We need to stick together… we believe we can do better after this. We need to buck up and be mentally stronger and also work as a team,” added the JDT player. Midfielder-cum-defender Syahmi Safari said: “We are sorry (for the loss) but it is not the end of the world. “We still have a chance of reaching the last four. Please don’t write off the team.
“We had our chances against the Filipinos but did not take them. And we were punished. “When we play against Timor Leste and Cambodia, we must settle down quickly and get the goals.
“We need to prove to our fans that we can win both matches,” added Syahmi.
Interestingly, the venue, scoreline and the opponent were all the same as the 1991 Manila Sea Games where Malaysia were upstaged by the Philippines for the first time.
On Friday, Ong Kim Swee’s side entered the pitch, hoping to exorcise the ghost of the 1991 disaster.
But the Malaysians got bitten instead by the young Askals who were more hungry and determined..
The Philippines, comprising a mix of college and professional footballers, took the game to Malaysia right from the start and their pressure paid off in front of 6,500-odd fans in the 72nd minute.
Askals captain Stephan Schrock’s cross from a corner kick swerved in. Filipino Amani Aguinaldo, who used to play for Perak SEDC, looked to have forced in the ball while Malaysian goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli also looked like he had pushed it into his own net. But it was Schrock who was credited with the goal.
Kim Swee, who coached the Malaysian team in four previous Sea Games, admitted that the Manila edition will be his last.
“Whether we qualify for the semi-finals or not, this will be my last Sea Games,” he said.
“I know what people (the critics) are saying but I am not thinking about resigning yet as I still have a mission to complete here.”
Philippines coach Goran Milojevic said: “I was surprised with the Malaysian coach’s decision to change his formation to 3-5-2 (from the usual 3-4-3). And this allowed us to be more aggressive in attack.”