PETALING JAYA: National coach Ong Kim Swee reacted to personal attacks positively today, as the former international stated that ‘outside distractions’ will not deter him from preparing a formidable team for next month’s AFF Cup.
“These accusations will not stop me from doing my job. I have been facing these issues since the day I became the national coach,” said Kim Swee at Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya today.
On Friday, Darul Ta’zim owner Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim questioned Kim Swee’s coaching ability and alleged that his appointment was not based on merit.
Johor had ordered strikers Darren Lok and Zaquan Adha Radzak, along with midfielder Irfan Fazail, to return to the club a day after the players reported for centralised training on Tuesday.
The Premier League side informed the FA of Malaysia (FAM) that the three will only report for training in accordance with Fifa's regulation pertaining to the release of players for national duty, which is four days prior to a match.
Malaysia will face Singapore on Oct 7 and Afghanistan, four days later.
“FAM supports me… whether we make it or not in the AFF Cup is for me to answer after the tournament. I would rather focus on the team, instead of doing something that is not going to benefit anyone, as I believe these issues will never stop.
“You can’t stop people from saying things. For me, this matter has motivated me… I believe it will stop once I achieve the target in the AFF Cup,” said Kim Swee.
Kim Swee said his players in the camp are also motivated to prove critics wrong.
“My trainees are aware and they are now eager to prove something. They want to take up the challenge. At the end of the day, it is not about me. They need to fight for the pride of the nation in the AFF Cup.
“Those who are selected for the tournament must prove their worth. I think fans that know football realise what the actual situation is,” said Kim Swee.
It is rather dumbfounding that criticisms of Kim Swee’s capabilities came from two Johor teams that are made up of some players who were groomed by the Malacca-born coach, and other trainers under the now-defunct Young Tigers programme.
Among those from Darul Ta’zim and Johor who were formerly under the programme are Izham Tarmizi Roslan, Mahali Jasuli, Fadhli Shas, Gary Steven Robbat, Azrif Nasrulhaq, Irfan Fazail, Amer Saidin and Fandi Othman.
Kim Swee has beefed up his training squad by adding two more centre-backs in Selangor’s Shahrom Abdul Kalam and Kedah’s Khairul Helmi Johari.
“Shahrom and Khairul will report on Sunday, together with others who did not join earlier due to club commitments. I will drop five players from the current 30 before we head to Singapore,” Kim Swee added.