Malaysia’s game plan may be about defending but that has not stopped coach Ong Kim Swee from putting his four strikers through shooting drills ahead of their opening match against Japan in the Asian Zone final round qualifying tournament for the 2012 London Olympics at the Tosu Stadium here tomorrow.
There is no doubt that the national Under-23 coach is aware of the danger posed by the fleet-footed Japanese side, especially by top hitman Kensuke Nagai – the top scorer at the Guangzhou Asian Games last year with five goals.
“Our game plan is not just to park the bus in our own goalmouth but to take on our opponents with quick breakaway attacks as well. There is always a chance to nick a point if we get our act right,” Kim Swee said after putting the quartet – Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, A. Thamil Arasu, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Izzaq Faris Ramlan – through the shooting drills.
“I have held special sessions with the strikers on and off the field. We got them to look at their mistakes in the hope that they will not waste any openings created against Japan.”
Kuala Lumpur-lad Ahmad Hazwan is the latest to be roped into the national Under-23 squad and he impressed Kim Swee when he scored five goals during the shooting drill.
“Each of the four has his strong points and I have to figure out the right combination in the next two days,” said Kim Swee.
The lanky Izzaq played against Japan at last year’s Guangzhou Asiad, where Japan defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the group matches en route to emerging champions.
“We need Izzaq’s physical presence for this big game and Syahrul Azwari’s ability to hold the ball. A.Thamil Arasu has been giving strong performances in attack as well as in defence. So, it is going to be a tough call for me. I have not made up my mind on the front two yet,” said Kim Swee.
There is no doubt that the national Under-23 coach is aware of the danger posed by the fleet-footed Japanese side, especially by top hitman Kensuke Nagai – the top scorer at the Guangzhou Asian Games last year with five goals.
“Our game plan is not just to park the bus in our own goalmouth but to take on our opponents with quick breakaway attacks as well. There is always a chance to nick a point if we get our act right,” Kim Swee said after putting the quartet – Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim, A. Thamil Arasu, Ahmad Hazwan Bakri and Izzaq Faris Ramlan – through the shooting drills.
“I have held special sessions with the strikers on and off the field. We got them to look at their mistakes in the hope that they will not waste any openings created against Japan.”
Kuala Lumpur-lad Ahmad Hazwan is the latest to be roped into the national Under-23 squad and he impressed Kim Swee when he scored five goals during the shooting drill.
“Each of the four has his strong points and I have to figure out the right combination in the next two days,” said Kim Swee.
The lanky Izzaq played against Japan at last year’s Guangzhou Asiad, where Japan defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the group matches en route to emerging champions.
“We need Izzaq’s physical presence for this big game and Syahrul Azwari’s ability to hold the ball. A.Thamil Arasu has been giving strong performances in attack as well as in defence. So, it is going to be a tough call for me. I have not made up my mind on the front two yet,” said Kim Swee.
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