Monday, November 14, 2011

SEA GAMES: Three Points More Important Than Number Of Goals Scored - Kim Swee

JAKARTA, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- National Under-23 chief coach, Ong Kim Swee, regards having collected three points by beating Cambodia tonight as more important than the number of goals scored in that match.

He said the last match with hosts Indonesia in the group stage this Thursday would determine who would get into the semi-finals and if Malaysia prevailed, it would give them hope of another goal medal after Malaysia's success at the Laos Sea Games in Vientiane in 2009.

"We still have four days to prepare. I will need to relook the strategies and I might make some minor changes, depending on the match," he told Malaysian journalists after the match against Cambodia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan.

Kim Swee said the expected psychological war by the home supporters against the Malaysian squad would not dent the latter's spirits but would instead spur them to give their all in the coming match.

"We knew the Indonesian spectators would never support us like in today's match. They would rather support teams from other countries.

"But our players are already immune to their jeers and insults, and will be motivated to perform better," he said.

In the third match in Group A against Cambodia today, the Malaysian squad thrashed the team coached by Tae Hoon Lee, 4-1.

"I am pleased with the three goals in the first half but our boys were rather casual in their play in the second half, which enabled Cambodia to score a goal. This shouldn't have happened.

"If they want to get into the semi-finals, they should not play like this," he said.

Cambodia's coach, Tae, said their team lost the game because they did not get enough time to rest, having to play four matches in six days.

"My team lost because we were very tired and would be stressed out during the rest of the game," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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