Coach Kim Swee Blasts Seniors For Inept Performance

13 Mei, 2015



PETALING JAYA: National Under-23 coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee has read the riot act to his senior players.

The former international said he will not hesitate to drop them from the Singapore SEA Games squad if there’s no marked improvement in their progress.

The football competition is from May 30-June 15 and Kim Swee is expected to name the final 20-man squad in two weeks’ time.

Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) midfielder Gary Steven Robbat and Sabah striker Rozaimi Abdul Rahman were among those who failed to impress Kim Swee during the team’s first warm-up match – a 4-1 win over Real Mulia FC – in Bangi on Monday.

The Malaysians trailed 1-0 before Kim Swee made eight changes in the second half. He fielded four Harimau Muda boys, including striker S. Kumaahran who scored a brace (48th, 84th). The other scorers were Adam Nor Azlin (64th) and Syazwan Tajuddin (67th).

“Gary and Rozaimi struggled against Real Mulia. They’ve lost their touch because of their lack of match fitness and playing time with their teams,” said Kim Swee after a training session at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya yesterday.

“The Harimau Muda players looked more competitive and played as a team because of their playing time in the S-League. These boys have good understanding.”

Kim Swee, who led Malaysia to the 2011 SEA Games gold medal, said that there would be two more friendlies for the players to make amends and earn their tickets to Singapore. They’ll play Sabah in Kota Kinabalu on Friday and another team on May 21.

“We played against Real Mulia ... so, maybe we’ll play Real Madrid next,” joked Kim Swee.

“My selection will be based on current form only. Football is not an individual sport.”

Asked if the two friendlies would be enough for the seniors to regain their match fitness, Kim Swee replied: “I hope so, for me it’s not enough ... but I can’t have too many friendlies because my training programme is important, too.”

Sumber - Joash Ee De Silva, Star Online www.thestar.com.my