There is no group of death for Malaysia in the Sea Games football competition in the Philippines on Nov 26-Dec 10.
That was the script for the national Under-22 team when the draw was made in Manila yesterday.
For Malaysia, it turned out to be a relatively easy draw as big guns Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia didn’t end up in their group.
Ong Kim Swee’s boys were drawn in Group A with hosts the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia and Timor Leste.
For Malaysia who must finish in the top two in the group to progress to the semi-finals, the job doesn’t look difficult.
With one match fewer to play compared to those in Group B, Malaysia will also have the added benefit of being fresher for the knockout stage.
Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia all ended up in Group B together with Singapore, Laos and Brunei.
With the heartbreak of the 1-0 loss to Thailand in the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games final still fresh on his mind, Kim Swee is not taking Malaysia’s four rivals in Group A lightly.
“On paper, it is a great opportunity for us to reach the semi-finals,” said Kim Swee yesterday after the draw.
“But we cannot take lightly the challenge of teams who have prepared really early.
“Especially with two overage players, it gives a balanced look to all the teams.
“We want to go far in the tournament but I’ve always said we have to take it one match at a time.
“Every Sea Games is a tight schedule, so I have to think how to plan strategies against each team.”
However, with Group A matches likely to conclude first, that will give the opportunity to teams in Group B to “strategise” against their semi-final opponents.
Most teams in the M-League are already in the “off season”, and that could make it difficult (fitness wise) for Kim Swee when the players report for training at the start of next month,
But the coach will have at least six players from the senior team who have continued training in Dominic Tan, Syahmi Safari, Syamer Kutty Abba, Danial Amier Norhisham, Akhyar Rashid and Safawi Rasid.
Kim Swee is expected to go for defensive players when it comes to the selection of the two overage players (as allowed under the Sea Games) for his squad of 20 players that travel to Manila.
The coach will also be keeping a close eye on the national senior team’s World Cup qualifiers against Thailand (Nov 14) and Indonesia (Nov 19) before making his final selection.
“In every tournament, there are easy groups just like what we saw today.
“But the teams in Group B will provide a strong challenge in the knockout phase,” said Kim Swee.
“So we can’t think about (winning) the gold medal yet. Instead we will focus on qualifying out of the group.
“Getting a medal is our target but first we concentrate on the group.
“I will only decide on the two overage players after the senior team have played Indonesia. Then I can see who is available to join.
“There are also (Under-22) players like Safawi and Syamer Kutty who are with the senior team, and we have to see how they are after that,” he added.