WE ARE IN THE STRONGEST GROUP, SAYS AJAX COACH

Ajax Amsterdam coach J.J. Sonny Silooy said on arrival today that the tournament was of high quality.

“We are in the strongest group, so it will not be easy, not just for us but for all the teams,” said the coach.

“But like every team that competes in any major tournament, we would like to go all the way and play in the final.”

He added that the quality of the teams participating here made this a very important tournament for the club.

“This is going to be a very good experience for our players,” he said the 43-year-old Silooy, who added that there were five youth internationals in the team.

He explained that it was rare to have so many of the top clubs together in a competition.

“We play abroad as it is good for the players. Last season, we played Barcelona which ended in a draw and later against Cruzeiro and Werder Bremen. But this is going to be very tough.”

Silooy also admitted that the weather was of concern.

But he was quick to add that the team had arrived well ahead of the tournament.

“We have five days to get used to the conditions here and I think that will help.”

Like Silooy, PSG coach David Bechkoura, who watched his charges have their first taste of the Malaysian weather during a training session at the Wisma FAM this evening, said that the heat was something they were not used to.

“It’s hot but being professionals, we have to overcome it and get on with the job. All the teams will face the same problems.”

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich also arrived this evening and are the third team to land in Malaysia after PSG and Ajax.

PIC: Ajax Amsterdam on arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport