MANDALAY (11 Nov 2018) – After sitting out the first match of the AFF Suzuki Cup a few days earlier, Myanmar are raring to get things going when they open their campaign against Cambodia tomorrow evening at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium here in Mandalay.
Speaking at the pre match press conference this afternoon, Myanmar’s newly appointed head coach Antoine Hey said that the team is to stay longer than just the group stage and it all begins by taking down Cambodia.
“The target is to do well and to do well, we need to stay longer than just the group stage,” said Myanmar head coach Antoine Hey.
“The players are all fit and raring to go. And while we all want to win, we also know that football can be very predictable.
“I believe that with five teams in the group, the important thing is to win matches as I don’ think that it will go down to goal difference. As long as we win points that will be good enough.”
Hey said that for the final selection process where the squad was trimmed down to 23, he said that the main criteria would be on flexibility.
He said that he needs to opt for players who can play in several positions as opposed to taking those with limited skills.
“We have to play four games which means that we have to look at players with options to play in different areas,” he added.
“Cambodia is a decent team and they have improved a lot. There is no such thing as a ‘must win’ matches. We have to work and earn that win.”
