Skip to main content

AFF Suzuki Cup: Raja rules out 'parking the bus'

Indonesia team manager Andi Darussalam (left) and national coach K. Rajagobal attend the pre-match press conference in Jakarta yesterday. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali
Indonesia team manager Andi Darussalam (left) and national coach K. Rajagobal attend the pre-match press conference in Jakarta yesterday. — Picture by Khairul Ghazali 
 
K. RAJAGOBAL does not want his players to curb their attacking instincts when defending a 3-0 lead during the AFF Suzuki Cup final second leg at the Bung Karno Stadium today.

Responding to suggestions that Malaysia will employ a defensive strategy, Rajagobal said each match has to be approached differently.

"We are here with a three-goal lead and we know Indonesia are a strong and good team. We are thinking optimistically and aim to play to the best of our ability.

"The confidence level of the players has gone up with each game we play and we are focused only on this game," said Rajagobal at the pre-match press conference at the team hotel yesterday.
Indonesia will be looking for an early goal to boost their chances of overturning the deficit and Rajagobal said his side need to maintain their defensive discipline when under pressure.

"We will play as how we should and I want the players to follow my instructions," said Rajagobal. "Of course, Indonesia will attack for the early goal but we also have good strikers to trouble them.

"If we get one goal, it will put the pressure back on Indonesia. We don't just want to defend, we want to score as well.

"We have not come here for a draw, we want to be more organised than how we played at home when we had the luxury to attack at will.

"When we lose the ball, we need to get organised. It may look defensive but we can be dangerous on the break."


Read more: NST

Comments

  1. if malaysia can get 1st goal ang Gelora B.karno tonite, i see no harm parking Aeroplane also..

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...