Malaysia national football team head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has praised Malacca United player Khair Jones after producing a brilliant performance against Timor-Leste last night.
The Malaysian-Welsh man scored the opening goal in the second leg of the Asian Cup play-off after Ahmad Hazwan Bakri’s mistimed shot fell for him to slot it in the goal. Malaysia went on to win the match 3-0 (6-0 aggregate) and ensured qualification for the third round.
Khair Jones, who is a left-back for Malacca United, was deployed as a left winger last night.
“He (Khair) has played as a left-back and a centre-back for Malacca United this season, but I decided to give him a go on the left wing,” Ong Kim Swee said as quoted by Stadium Astro.
“In the end, he got himself a goal and I am extremely proud of him.
The 6-foot-3 player was raised in the city of Palmerston North in New Zealand for 20 years and admitted that it was one of the best feelings to score his first ever goal for his country.
“I played in three different positions when I was in New Zealand. I am still searching for my best position and I will return for training to find that out for myself,” Khair Jones said.
“I am delighted that I got my first goal for Malaysia and hopeful that more will come.”
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