Malaysia’s Ahmad Bakri (number 12) celebrates with teammates after scoring against Timor Leste at Stadium Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Larkin on Thursday. — Bernama photo
JOHOR BAHARU: Malaysia’s 3-0 win over Timor-Leste on Thursday has quashed rumours of a ‘silent protest’ among national squad players against head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
Kim Swee, who described such talk as ridiculous, said the excellent performance of the players in carrying out his game plan, clearly demonstrated their seriousness and high level of discipline.
“I do not know who or why they said this (silent protest). I do not know whether the person who said this is trying to sabotage or anything. It is ridiculous.
“I do not take this as an issue. I know my team very well,” he told reporters after the first leg of the play-off qualifier for the 2019 Asian Cup on Thursday.
He was responding to a report which claimed the players were likely to stage a silent protest against the coach who hails from Melaka.
Praising the performance of the national team, Kim Swee said the new line-up should be given more time to gel.
Meanwhile, team captain Aidil Zafuan Abdul Razak also refuted the silent protest claims.
“It is ridiculous. When we put on the national or club jersey, we will be 100 per cent committed to the team,” he said.
For him, Thursday’s victory was a good start for Harimau Malaysia and proved that they were committed in carrying out the head coach’s instructions.
Aidil said most of the tactical strategies worked, while the defence managed to read their opponents well, and stop their advances.
Selangor striker Ahmad Hazwan Bakri scored a brace in the first half while the third goal was scored by JDT’s Mohd Amri Yahya in the 85th minute.
Malaysia will meet Timor-Leste in the second leg at Tan Sri Hassan Yunos Stadium on June 6 for a place in 2019 Asian Cup group stage qualifying round.
Meanwhile, Malaysia have moved up a spot to 173rd position in the FIFA rankings.
The scoreless draw against Myanmar on the opponents’ turf on May 28 saw no significant change in Malaysia’s position in the latest ranking.
For the record, Malaysia was in 171st position in the world in January and February, 166th (March) and 174th in April and May. — Bernama