SEA GAMES 2011: LAPSE OF CONCENTRATION COSTS US, HANSSON

JAKARTA (20 Nov 2011) – Stefan Hansson, the chief coach of Myanmar felt that the lapse in concentration in the last five minutes of their semi-final tie against Malaysia last night cost the team.

He said that his players were already thinking about the extra-time and they forgot that they still have some time to go yet to the end of the match. And that lapse in keeping their mind focused saw Malaysia’s Ahmad Fakri Saarani scoring the all-important goal right at the end for the win.

“It was heart wrenching to know that we lost the game right at the end. We know that we could have beaten Malaysia if the game had gone into extra-time. But the players should have maintained focus and not allowed Malaysia to score,” said Hansson.

“It was a bitter lesson for sure as we were competitive throughout and we also had our chances at goal. But I hope that the players who can still play for Myanmar at the next SEA Games will take this game as a good education.

“Stop concentrating only when the referee has blown the final whistle.”

There is no doubt that Myanmar were one of the best teams in the competition this year. They have been consistent throughout the group stage although initially the y had some problems with the red cards.

But they still had enough of them in reserves to be unbeaten in the group stage where they eventually finished as runners-up behind Vietnam.

And coach Hansson has instilled in them enough discipline to ensure that his almost last minute signing as the chief coach of the Myanmar Under-23 by the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) had all not been in vain.

“We still have the bronze medal to play for and tomorrow we hope that the outcome will be different than the draw we had against the same side ((Vietnam) in the group stage,” he added.

It is expected that Hansson after the Jakarta assignment will go back to coach his club Zeyar Shwe Myay in the Myanmar National League (MNL).

SEA GAMES 2011 SEMI-FINALS FIXTURES