Kim Swee not taking Saudi Arabia lightly

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INCHEON: Harimau Muda A (Malaysia’s Under-23 squad) do not want to treat lightly their final match against Saudi Arabia in Group A tomorrow in the football competition at the 17th Asia Games here.

Coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee said he knew the meeting with Saudi Arabia at Goyang Stadium, would not be as easy as Laos because they had a size advantage.

“But it does not mean we have to be afraid of them. What is more important is how we face them on the field,” he told Bernama when met at the 17th Asia Games’ Athletes’ Village yesterday.

He said the match was crucial because it would decide the fate of Harimau Muda A to qualify for the second round and subsequently the quarter-final.

“To me, all areas are important, be it defence, midfield or the front line (attack) as they have their respective tasks.

“I cannot pay attention only to certain areas to the detriment of the other sections,” he said.

Ong said the Saudi Arabian team had many strengths especially in attacking.

“Maybe the coming match will be boring but but what is more essential is that we solicit a win to get to the quarter-finals,” he said.

He said penetrating the Saudi Arabian would not be easy but it had to be done in order to win. — Bernama

Malaysia collected three full points after beating Laos 4-0 in the second group match on Wednesday but were beaten 3-0 by South Korea in the opener on Sept 14. — Bernama