Malaysia out for SEA Games semifinals after loss against Cambodia

We will have to see more on the Malaysian side ahead in the Sea Games against their upcoming opponents. Take a look at our latest Malaysia’s football news in SEA Games 2019 results of Cambodia against Malaysia faceoff journey. Unfortunately for the Malaysia national football team because they didn’t make it to the semifinals of the 2019 SEA Games after they were defeated by Cambodia in a 3 – 1 score line on Wednesday. Following the collection of four points coming from their three matches, coach Ong Kim Swee’s players needed a win at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila to have a chance to advance to the do or die stage with Group A winners Myanmar. Furthermore, the silver medalist in 2017 SEA Games barely pressurized Cambodia’s goal and possibly consider themselves fortunate not to concede any time before half time. Their good fortune in the end was depleted as midfielder In Sodavid and forward Sieng Chanthea registered two quick surge goals only before the hour mark. Midfielder Keo Sokpheng, a former player in PKNP in Malaysia, put one in the mind of the youthful Tigers what he was potential of as he registered Cambodia’s 3rd goal of the day. There was an Australian defender Quentin Cheng came as a substitute, trailed one back for Malaysia within the 89th minute, in which unfortunately too late for the squad to set up a comeback.

Malaysia coach Ong Kim Swee was interrogated over strategies

Coach of the Malaysian national team Ong Kim Swee was surprised and get angry when the media interrogated his strategies within the SEA Games 30th men’s football following their lost in a 3 – 1 against Cambodia and eliminated to reach the semifinals. It is considered as the most disappointing SEA games on the road games for Malaysia having defeated in a 1 – 0 score line against the Philippines in an earlier game. The dreadful outcome in Manila came only when the fans thinks that Malaysian football play is making improvement after the promising results coming from their senior and other division of age group squads. Malaysia ended in 4th position in Group A within the Philippines SEA Games with just four points. Cambodia and Myanmar completed in the top two to advance for the semifinals. Coach Kim Swee during the post-match conference at the Rizal Memorial Stadium yesterday stated:

“Are you trying to create an issue? Nobody questioned my tactics when we defeated South Korea in last year’s Asian Games. So, why is it an issue now? We have been struggling from day one of the competition. When you don’t take your chances, it would be tough to win matches. Cambodia played really well and congratulations to them.”

We have seen that coach Kim Swee was not trying to put excuses on the event and he said that his men lacked preparation time for the SEA Games. He added:

“A longer training period would have helped as some players do not play regular football for their states and clubs. Last year, I had one month with the boys and they did well by reaching the last eight of the AFC U-23 Championships. Why not ask Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos on how much time they were given to prepare their teams. We cannot compare the current Philippines, Laos, and Cambodia teams with their teams from two years ago…. They have progressed. We cannot take things for granted that we will always be ahead of them.”