KUALA LUMPUR: A mental ploy by Malaysia coach Kim Pan Gon to get Singapore to drive away their bus?
That could be the script when the Korean claimed at a pre-match press conference today that ultra defensive play is not conducive for growing a team.
Malaysia must beat Singapore in an AFF Cup match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow whereas the Lions need only a draw to advance.
Singapore, under Japanese coach Takayuki Nishigaya, brought out their park-the-bus-play game against Vietnam last week and it resulted in the Lions happily driving home with a 0-0 draw. This put the Lions second in the group with seven points, one ahead of third-placed Malaysia who lost 3-0 to Vietnam earlier.
And this has led to former national coach Ong Kim Swee saying he expected Singapore to put 11 men behind the ball against Malaysia.
Pan Gon said: "We could have done what Singapore did (play ultra defensive) to get a point. But in the bigger picture, we won't progress in the future. We must approach every game bravely, positively.. like how we did against Vietnam.
"We would get a point but we don't improve our quality of football."
So, if Singapore are reading this, their cynical-cum-defensive play will not help in the development of their team in the long term. On the other end, Malaysia, under Pan Gon, have already qualified for the prestigious Asian Cup next year.
And Pan Gon believes the Malaysian team are on the right path, their AFF Cup situation notwithstanding.
"The loss against Vietnam put us in a tough position but I watched the game again three times, and I would say it's a very good game where I have no regrets.
"I think the players did well, they showed emotion and moved forward.
"This is a must-win game. Singapore will have their advantage (needing only a draw) but we will try to win in an entertaining way (attacking football), said Pan Gon.
"I watched the game (Singapore v Vietnam). It's hard to evaluate because Vietnam weren't patient enough.
"It (tomorrow's match) will come down to our willingness to fight, and it will also depend on our approach.
"I do believe Harimau Malaya players are very mature and professional."
On the 2-1 loss to Singapore in the Tri-Nation Series in March, Pan Gan said the match has taught them a lot about how to approach today's showdown.
"Not much difference from our side, but from the Singapore side (that played in the Tri-Nation), they play negatively while we are active." said Pan Gon.
Meanwhile, Harimau Malaya co-captain Faisal Halim said he and his men want to beat Singapore as a New Year gift for Malaysian fans.