PETALING JAYA – Head coach Kim Pan-gon wants Malaysia to take control of the game against India when both teams meet in the Pestabola Merdeka at the Bukit Jalil Stadium tomorrow.
The Harimau Malaya will have an uphill task against India, who are ranked 102nd in the FIFA rankings.
“We must be firm and strong from the first minute until the end.
“As we all know their ranking is near the top 100. They are the top team in South Asia as they are aggressive, and really work hard (on the pitch).
“They love to hunt and chase the ball and make strong body contact. So, that kind of element will be very tough for the opposition team,” he said at a pre-match press conference at Wisma FAM, today.
However, Pan-gon said that his men are ready to take on India, especially after their centralised training, as well as the team’s recent performances against Syria and China.
Meanwhile, the South Korean added that he will have a fully fit squad for the tournament, except for Paulo Josue, who is out with dengue fever.
The winner of the match between Malaysia and India will advance to the final against Tajikistan, who received a bye after Palestine withdrew from the tournament due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland, on Tuesday. – October 12, 2023