Back to drawing board
Coach Kim Swee to rebuild team after Malaysia’s early exit in Suzuki Cup
PETALING JAYA: National coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has defended his players despite their early AFF Suzuki Cup ouster.
The Harimau Malaysia failed to get past the group stage after losing 1-0 to hosts Myanmar in their final Group B match at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Saturday. David Htan was Myanmar’s hero, scoring a late winner in the 88th minute.
Besides losing to Myanmar, Malaysia also lost 1-0 to group winners Vietnam. Kim Swee’s side only win came from a scrappy 3-2 triumph over winless Cambodia.
The 45-year-old Kim Swee admitted that he failed to reach his Key Performance Indicator (KPI) of reaching the final, but said he had no complaints over his players’ performance.
“I cannot tell these players that they were not good enough. They fought hard and we almost made it ... I can’t ask anything more from them as they gave everything,” said Kim Swee yesterday.
“I failed. The target was the final and we did not even make the semi-finals. The FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) have been behind me all the way but certain matters were out of our hands.
“I have to go back and analyse why I failed. We have to look at some of the younger players when we get home and rebuild the team.”
Against Myanmar, 2010 champions Malaysia needed a win to progress. But they hardly showed the desire to get the three points against the young and energetic Myanmar side.
Except for striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri’s strike against the upright in the sixth minute, Malaysia never really threatened Myanmar. All in, Malaysia only had two shots at goal.
Kim Swee said they started brightly but their eagerness to win saw them concede the late winner.
“I’m pleased with the players’ determination. We started well with a few chances. Myanmar also had several opportunities. When the match seemed headed for a draw, I took off our defenders and brought on the strikers but unfortunately we conceded a very late goal.”
In the semi-finals, Myanmar will face Thailand while Vietnam will meet Indonesia.
For Kim Swee, his next assignment is to prepare a side for the third-round qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Cup in March.