SEA GAMES 2011: MALAYSIAN PLAYERS GETTING USED TO HOME FANS

JAKARTA (14 Nov 2011) – The home fans are often considered the 12th player in a team. Here in Indonesia, the home fans have been excellent and are fully committed to supporting their national players in the ongoing SEA Games football tournament. Any team here would be envious of the kind of total support the team received each time they play.

At the same time, whenever Malaysia has played here, the local fans are quick to show their support for the opposing team. Last night for example, they contributed partly to the revival of Cambodia in the second half where they managed to score on the hour mark.

Asked about the support Indonesia will receive when the two traditional rivals face-off in the last group match on Thursday, Malaysian coach Ong Kim Swee said that his team was getting used to playing under such conditions.

“We knew this even before we came here. It has been that way from the very first match we played. We have now played three matches and I think the boys are getting used to it,” said Kim Swee who will have three more days to work out his strategy against the hosts.

But Kim Swee says that the Indonesia team had proven to be a strong side and that his team had to focus on the match itself. “We have to give our best against Indonesia. Our team’s confidence is rising and that’s a good sign ahead of the last group game.”

Kim Swee will make the best of the few days he has to get his team prepared for the game. Group A has a three-day break before the last group matches are battled out.

Indonesia currently tops Group A with a maximum nine points while Malaysia are second with seven points. Both will want to give their best to top the group so as to avoid the likelihood of playing Vietnam in the crossover semi-finals. The Group A winner will probably have to face Myanmar in the other semi-final.

SEA GAMES FIXTURES
GROUP A

CURRENT STANDINGS