Although pelted with several challenges ahead of the big day, national U-22 football coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee remains optimistic about the chances of winning tonight.
Malaysia’s U-22 squad will be hosting Myanmar’s U-22 at the Shah Alam Stadium tonight for a friendly bout.
According to the head coach, the team have only managed one training session yesterday, but that will not stop them from going all in tonight to secure victory on home soil.
This match against Myanmar serves to prepare the squad for the AFC U-23 qualifiers in in Bangkok next week, as well as for the upcoming 2017 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
“As we already know, our preparations did not go as planned. I only got all my players one day before the big day.” HMetro quoted Datuk Ong Kim Swee as saying. However, the coach believes that they can conjure a positive result.
“No one wants to lose. Even with only a day’s worth of training, I want to win, the players want to win. I hope the players will follow all the instructions given, and give their best tonight.”
“I don’t see the lack of training as an issue because most of the players from this squad were with me in China [for friendlies], so I think they know what I want and what to do.”
National U-22 captain Adib Zainuddin agrees with the head coach’s optimism.
According to Adib, the lack of training should not be a problem, because most players in the squad are already playing in the M.League, so they have enough training with their respective clubs.
“We will not let this (lack of training) weaken us. Playing in the M.League gives us an advantage. I think we can use our trainings in the club to adapt to the match tonight. So no problem.” the captain assured.
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