Football
ESPN staff 7y

Malaysia's Ong Kim Swee aims to replicate SEA Games success for AFF

Malaysia head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee foresees the upcoming AFF Cup in November as a different proposition to the football competition in the Southeast Asian Games event, but is driven to replicate his regional success from five years ago.

Ong memorably led Malaysia to football gold in the 2011 multi-sports event in Jakarta.

Four players from that title-winning team -- Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Fadhli Shas, Baddrol Bakhtiar and Irfan Fazail- are in the provisional 26-man squad for Yangon.

But Ong has moved on from that success in Indonesia, where he carved out his reputation on the national front.

"That victory is history. The AFF Cup is much more challenging both on, and off the field," Ong told ESPN FC. "But we have a decent record in the tournament, having made the semifinals and final."

"I believe we can do well if we prepare well, because these are the best players we have."

The 45-year-old would have had a better talent field to pick from had the Johor Darul Ta'zim quartet of Safiq Rahim, Amirulhadi Zainal, Aidin Zafuan and S. Kunanlan not prematurely announced their international retirements in June.

Despite having to play with two new-look squads against Singapore and Afghanistan, Malaysia did a decent job to come away with a share of the spoils from both matches.

They held Singapore to a goalless draw on Oct. 7 before drawing 1-1 against the Afghans four days later.

In the AFF Cup, Malaysia are placed alongside Cambodia, co-hosts Myanmar and Vietnam in Group B.

None of the sides will be pushovers, according to Ong.

"There is no such thing as an easy game. Ten years ago, it may have been easier for us to qualify for the semifinals, but not anymore. Countries like Cambodia are technically good, and play with good tactical knowledge," he said.

Eighteen players reported for national duty at the FAM headquarters on Tuesday.

Another eight players, comprising from Malaysia Cup finalists Selangor and Kedah will join them on Nov. 1.

Malaysia will play one last friendly against Papua New Guinea on Nov. 14 at Shah Alam Stadium before Ong cuts three players to complete his 23-man squad for the AFF Cup.

The squad are scheduled to depart for Yangon on Nov. 16. They play Cambodia in the first game four days later.

 

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