KUALA LUMPUR (27 Nov 2012) – Append below are the quotes from the pre-match Press Conference for the match between Laos and Malaysia tomorrow.
Kokichi Kimura – Laos chief coach
“Tomorrow will be a difficult match because Malaysia will play a very fast game. The home team will be under pressure as they need to win badly. But I think that the advantage will still be with Malaysia as they will be playing at home.
For us, we have to play our normal game and not lose focus. We have to cope with the fast game where it is important for the players to play with the change in the tactics that will be implemented.
Certainly, we will be looking forward to the game against Malaysia as we look for our first win. It is not impossible. The best team will win.
There are a few players who are injured so we will see how they come up for the next training. We have no problem to replace any of the players because they are basically at the same level. So we are not too worried about having uncapable replacements.
If Malaysia play 100% tomorrow, we will have to play 120%.”
Dato’ K. Rajagobal – Malaysia chief coach
“Norshahrul (Idlan Talaha) has been allowed to leave camp this morning as he had to deal with his ‘Transfer Issue’. He knows his focus must be there and I don’t think that there will be any distractions even though he has gone to deal with a personal matter.
I am absolutely in control of the players where the stress is on winning over Laos tomorrow. We were the first ones to bring the AFF Suzuki Cup to Malaysia and we did it with this team. It happens when the team did not perform well at the start.
I certainly did not expect such a bad start (in our first game against Singapore) but we will never give up. We are still optimistic even though Laos is a good team.
We saw how they played against Indonesia and they are very fast in the counter-attacks. Laos have good fighting spirit, determination, disciplined in their tactics when they lose the ball, good positioning and hardworking.
But our players are professional and at they know what to do. At the end of the day, it will be a team effort and I’m still confident of the team.
Remember this team has changed the scenario of Malaysian football for the last 20 years. Things can turn around. They will do the job for Malaysia.”
Pictures by Stanley Chou (World Sport Group)
