KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-19 coach Bojan Hodak’s Midas touch could just be the thing Malaysia need to develop a new generation of footballers with quality to challenge Asia’s best teams one day.
The Croatian, who is regarded as one of the best foreign coaches in Southeast Asia, was the architect behind his team’s dramatic 4-3 win over Myanmar in the AFF Under-19 final in Indonesia.
Hodak’s boys led 2-0 before Myanmar bounced back with three goals to take a 3-2 lead at half-time.
However, Malaysia managed to regain their composure after the breather to score two goals with the winner by captain Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat coming from a free kick in the third minute of stoppage time.
Hodak had guided his team to the final of last year’s tournament only to lose to Thailand.
“We need to thank former FA of Malaysia (FAM) president Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim for this success as he was the one who offered me to coach the team. It was great to have the new FAM president (Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin) and the Sports Minister (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) at the stadium yesterday,” said Hodak in Indonesia on Sunday.
“We can proudly say that Malaysia have a good base of players to built on for the future. I hope our football can get to the next level but it can only be done by being patient.
“However, our boys need to play abroad, preferably in Europe, for experience. The National Football Development Programme have developed a good network but they also need to upgrade and also organise more youth competitions.
“I believe between four and eight players in my team will play for the senior team one day. With proper planning in all aspects, I believe Malaysia will eventually become a solid team.”
On Saturday’s win, Hodak said: “It was an exciting final for fans but not for the coaches. Players from both teams made mistakes.
“In the changing room at half-time, I told my players to be patient. It was funny as I told my players that they would score the winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time and it became a reality,” Hodak added.
Hodak’s side will next compete in the AFC Under-19 Championship, also in Indonesia, on Oct 19-Nov 4.