Defeat to Oman is not the end - Pan Gon
March 27, 2024 07:23 MYT
Defeat to Oman is not the end - Pan Gon
Pan Gon was speaking at a press conference after Harimau Malaya lost to Oman in the Group D match for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night. -- photoBERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: Head coach Harimau Malaya, Kim Pan Gon took full responsibility for the 0-2 loss to Oman in the Group D match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium (SNBJ), last night.
Pan Gon however described the second defeat as not the end for his men who now have to hope for a miracle in the remaining qualifying match against Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek on June 6 and finish the group stage against Taiwan in Bukit Jalil on June 11.
"This is a very difficult match.. as a leader, as a coach, I apologize to the Malaysian people because we could not give you pride, I mean a better result.
"We still have two more games if there is a miracle we still have a chance. It is better not to give up and we will fight until the end," he said at the press conference after the match.
The operator from South Korea is at the same time optimistic that the national players will be able to use the best opportunity to showcase their resurgence upon their return to their respective clubs when the Malaysian League (M-League) opens this May.
Meanwhile, Oman's coach, Jaroslav Silhavy admitted that his men's visit to SNBJ posed a difficult challenge compared to the first meeting between the two teams before in Muscat last week.
He said that with the spirit of a team, he succeeded in realizing the results he wanted.
The second consecutive loss with the same result against Oman made it difficult for Malaysia's mission to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup early and advance to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
The defeat saw Malaysia remain third in the group with six points while Kyrgyzstan, who overcame Taiwan 5-1 in another action last night, climbed to the top and shared nine points with second-placed Oman.
Taiwan is bottom without any points after four games.
-- BERNAMA
