Kim Swee: We have to win this, boys

Kim Swee is expected to make critical changes to his side ahead of the Thailand clash on Thursday in the Singapore SEA Games football competition. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star

SINGAPORE: It’s the last throw of the dice for national Under-23 football coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.

The former international is left with a “must-win” situation in his hands when his boys take on fancied Thailand in a Group B match at the Bishan Stadium Thursday at 4pm.

The message is loud and clear: Kim Swee has to come up with a game plan to beat Thailand or they will be staring at an early exit from the competition.

Malaysia, who edged Timor Leste 1-0 in their opening match on Saturday, are in this predicament after being thrashed 5-1 by Vietnam on Tuesday.

Vietnam top the group on goal difference ahead of Thailand although both teams have six points after two matches each. Malaysia are fourth on three points below Timor Leste on goal difference with three more matches to play.

Kim Swee, who led Malaysia to the SEA Games gold medal in Jakarta in 2011, has thrown down the gauntlet to his players to raise their game against the defending champions.

“It’s all about mental toughness now ... it’s how they are going to cope and move on after the Vietnam defeat. We need a win and I want the players to bounce back,” said Kim Swee after a training session.

“We have a fighting chance of qualifying for the semi-finals ... provided we beat Thailand. It will be hard but no team is invincible. As long as the players give their everything, we can get a result from this match.

“I’ll be making some changes to the defence and attack because it’s a do-or-die mission for us.”

Striker Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim is expected to start ahead of the ineffective Muhd Syafiq Ahmad, while Shahrul Mohd Saad will be fielded instead of defender Adam Nor Azlin, who had a nightmarish game against Vietnam.

Malaysia have a glimmer of hope as the Thais, who kicked off their SEA Games campaign with a 6-0 win over Laos last week, could only muster a slim 1-0 win over Timor Leste on Monday.

Kim Swee said the Thais have not been at their best although he feels that their prized midfielder Chanatip Songkrasin, who is also known as “Messi Junior”, can change a match in blink of an eye.

“Thailand are always the favourites ... they have players with good individual skills. Chanatip is their magician and he can be their match-winner,” said Kim Swee.