Elavarasan thinks beating Laos is no big deal
Named
May 4, 2023
Elavarasan thinks beating Laos is no big deal
National football player Daryl Sham KK George against Laos player Phetdavanh Somsanid in the Group B Football match in conjunction with the 2023 SEA Games at Prince Stadium last night. - BERNAMA picture
PHNOM PENH: Malaysia can't breathe a sigh of relief yet despite recording a stylish victory after thrashing Laos 5-1 in the inaugural Group B match of the 2023 SEA Games men's football competition at the Prince Stadium here, last night.
The manager of the national Under-22 (U-22) squad, E. Elavarasan, said this is because the big win cannot be a backup when his men go down against the most gold medal winners, Thailand, who are also considered among the favorites in the second match.
He, who is also the Assistant Head Coach of the national senior squad, said that the 5-1 result also seemed to have no meaning if his team failed to bring home a point against the squad coached by Issara Sritaro, this Saturday.
"Actually, five goals and one conceded is not a big deal, because when we play against Thailand and if we lose, what is the advantage of the five goals? There is no meaning, except for a draw, that's okay... if the result is good against Thailand, the goal advantage will help, but if you lose there is no advantage.
"So we are happy with the win tonight and we are ready for the next game, nothing is guaranteed for the future for all the teams, it is just a sign that the team is not bad," he said at the press conference after the match against Laos.
Realizing that some fans will start to have high hopes after this, Elavarasan said that all parties need to be realistic considering that Thailand is one of the teams that prepared better, apart from defending champions Vietnam who were also drawn in the same group.
"For the supporters, I can say thank you because recently the expectations were (so) high but from the right angle we have to see that Thailand is a more prepared team, we must understand the Vietnamese team which is also more prepared.
"When we play against Thailand then we can know what the real position is whether we are able to overcome the superiority of Thailand and Vietnam? At the moment it is difficult for me to say (prediction) but of course we are excited to face them and can learn something," he said.
However, he remained satisfied with the determination of the players to hunt for their first victory against Laos, describing it as a good start in their mission to qualify for the finals when the team was facing time constraints in preparation.
Elavarasan admitted that he did not expect a big win against the Michael Weiss-coached squad, but saw it as a sign of progress for the players to understand the importance of perfecting every scoring opportunity.
Malaysia and Thailand, who have just played one game, each took three points in second and third place in the Group B competition while Singapore and Laos are at the bottom after failing to collect points in the first two games.
Vietnam leads the competition with six points after recording two consecutive victories. - BERNAMA
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