Pan Gon is happy with the victory of Harimau Malaya, calls for improvement
KIM: This is our fortress, so whoever comes we will resist; we will do our best to make our yard a fortress and continue to win. - Image file
ISKANDAR PUTERI: National head coach Kim Pan Gon felt that his team showed improved performance even though the performance did not reach the expected level after beating Hong Kong 2-0 in a Tier 1 international friendly at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium here last night.
The South Korean-born coach was however happy that the Harimau Malaya squad continued their winning streak at home after only losing to Bahrain 1-2 in the 2023 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Kuala Lumpur, June last year.
"The goals are still constant but I (can) feel the improvement... I think there is still room for improvement and this is a reality, we are at a certain level but I am happy that we are maintaining the winning streak. As far as I remember, we have been playing at home since March and only lost to Bahrain.
"This is our fortress, so whoever comes we will give resistance. We will do our best to make our yard a fortress and continue to win... this is what is important, in terms of performance even if we win I am still not satisfied," he said at a press conference after last night's game.
Commenting further, the 53-year-old coach said what disappointed him was that his men could not maintain the intensity of the game, describing that his men needed to maintain dominance and be aggressive throughout the match.
In the meeting with Hong Kong, which is ranked 146th in the world last night, Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid and Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim each produced a goal in the first half to help Malaysia to its second win in the International Football Federation (FIFA) window of the month this.
Last night's success saw Pan Gon's men record their second consecutive victory against Hong Kong after also recording a 2-0 victory in the Tier 1 international friendly in Kuala Lumpur, June last year.
The Harimau Malaya squad, which decided to undergo central training and perform in Johor during the FIFA international match window, also defeated the team ranked 135th in the world, Turkmenistan 1-0 at the same venue, last Thursday.
"I am happy that we won twice in a row, won in a row against Hong Kong, I am very happy with this achievement. Thanks to TMJ (Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) for providing all the good facilities here. We have time and preparing for two games and enjoying it.
"Thank you to FAM President (Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin) for your full support, thank you to the fans who came to support us during Ramadan because through the support we received, we were able to fight for Malaysia. Tonight (last night) was very difficult but still a good win," he said.
Meanwhile, Pan Gon promised to help the players reach their best potential in ensuring the team continues to show improvement ahead of next June's FIFA international match window.
"Now the players are back at their respective clubs, I want to see each of them, I want to see them in every game, you can see some players are not fit enough. So I want to encourage them to play regularly... this is my hope and I think we can move forward," he said.
-- BERNAMA
