Kim Swee not saying much

WITH an eye on becoming Malaysia's most successful coach in Sea Games history, Ong Kim Swee is not revealing much of the national Under-23 team's potential in the Merdeka Tournament.

   Kim Swee guided Malaysia to their second straight gold medal in the Indonesia Sea Games in 2011 after K. Rajagobal's success two years earlier in Laos.

   No local coach has ever guided Malaysia to back-to-back Sea Games titles but Kim Swee stands to become the first if his team win in Myanmar.

   A promising performance in the Merdeka Tournament will give Malaysia a positive boost ahead of the Sea Games but critics should not be harsh if they don't finish as champions in Kuantan.

   Singapore and Thailand are using second stringers in the tournament while Myanmar's full strength squad are holding back.    "I believe Malaysia will be title contenders at the Sea Games. We have a good team but of course in football anything can happen. Winning the Merdeka Tournament will not mean anything if we fail to win gold in Myanmar," said Kim Swee in Kuantan yesterday.

   "Other teams here have brought mixed squads and are holding back. I am using the event to gauge my players' performance but of course, we cannot reveal too much.

   "In reality, fans want us to win here and also at the Sea Games. I have a pool of quality players and they are using this opportunity to make an impression before I finalise my Sea Games squad."

   Following their 1-0 win over Singapore on Saturday, the hosts will go into today's match against Myanmar as favourites.

   Not much is known about Myanmar's preparation for the Sea Games except that they may field overage players.

   In last year's AFC Under-22 Qualifiers in Yangon, the hosts, who edged Malaysia 2-1, allegedly fielded overage players but the FA of Malaysia  did not pursue the matter due to  lack of evidence.

   Kim Swee, understandably, was upset but told himself  he would use it as a source of inspiration to build a stronger squad for future tournaments.

   "I do not believe in revenge. It is not a good thing.

"We have learnt from last year's experience and now I am looking forward to this match. We will play basically the same Myanmar team that beat us last year."

   On team tactics, Kim Swee said: "It will depend on the weather and the pitch condition if it rains.

   "Some players are tired after yesterday's (Saturday's) game. My selection of players will depend on tactics. Myanmar are stronger compared to last year as they have been training together," he said.

   Kim Swee deemed Myanmar's Kyaw Zayar Win, Kyi Lin and Kyaw Ko Ko as potential match winners today.

   "Zayar Win has good vision and is their playmaker while Kyi Lin has good dribbling skills. As for Ko Ko, he is fast with the ball and can cause damage if left unchecked."

   Myanmar team manager Tin Myint Aung conceded the hosts will start as favourites.

   "Malaysia are better than us. They want revenge but this is normal in football. They have players who have been together for the last two or three years," said Myint Aung. "Midfielders Nazmi Faiz Mansor and Irfan Fazail have good vision and are tactically sharp while centre-back Fadhli Shas leads a strong back-line.

   "However, Malaysia's most dangerous player is Junior Eldstal. He moves the ball well and is not afraid of taking on defenders."

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/kim-swee-not-saying-much/