Football

Coach Pan Gon takes responsibility for defeat

DOHA: National senior team head coach Kim Pan Gon said nothing went wrong in the 0-1 loss against Bahrain in their second group stage game at the 2023 Asian Cup at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Saturday.

The match saw Ali Madan score in stoppage time to give Dilmun Warriors the three points.

The South Korean believes maybe it is his fault Malaysia failed to collect a single point from the last two Asian Cup group stage matches against Jordan (lost 0-4) and Bahrain.

"Nothing went wrong. This is where we are (level of football). Maybe the coach is wrong? Maybe I put too much expectations or gave too much hope to the public and the players. But, this is my problem and not the players, the FA or public. This is all my problem," said Pan Gon.

The 55-year-old said they failed to control and dominate the game but we have to realise the level of our domestic football which is at world No. 130.

"We failed to control, to dominate, we could have drawn but it was unlucky for us," said Pan Gon.

"We almost drew but what we were looking for is a deeper approach and this is where we need to take things step-by-step."

Meanwhile, Bahrain coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said they deserved to win especially through their efforts from beginning until the end.

"We knew it would be difficult and expected this when we analysed the team but I think it was deserving," said Pizzi.

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