SEPANG: The national Under-23 (U-23) side’s stunning victory on Friday over defending champions South Korea proves that the national contingent can cause upsets and shocks at the Asian Games in Indonesia which officially begins today (Saturday).
Sports Minister, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that the celebrated victory by Ong Kim Swee’s charges is indeed a very good beginning and it will inspire all the national athletes to accomplish the missions to realise the target of winning between 7 to 11 gold medals at the 18th edition of the Games.
Syed Saddiq was met before leaving for Jakarta earlier today (Saturday), stressed that the national U-23 side’s victory over South Korea who has three players that starred in the World Cup in Russia just last month proves that national athletes can overcome psychological challenges and obstacles of much fancied opponents.
“I am confident that the win is just the beginning and at the same time it also proves that they have forged ahead. If before this there are those who have questioned the abilities and compared our strengths with that of perennial Asian powerhouses such as China and South Korea, now though our national players have proved that they are capable of pulling off upsets.
“Our mission to win between seven to 11 gold medals is not at all impossible and our national athletes can do it and as I’ve said before, I am very confident that we can do it.
“I am confident as long as all our hard work and efforts can enable us to break through any barriers and obstacles that stand in our way,” he said.
The national U-23 squad’s victory on Friday ensured Malaysia’s place to the second round despite having one last group match to play against Bahrain on Monday.
The last time a Malaysian side made it to the second round was in 1978 during the Bangkok edition of the Games, and the last time Harimau Malaya defeated South Korea at the Asian Games was 44 years ago during the Tehran edition in 1974 where the national side won 1-0 and went on to win the bronze medal.