STAY away from his boys during the Sea Games in the Philippines. That’s the message from national Under-22 football coach Ong Kim Swee to M-League clubs.
He urged the clubs to give the 20 national players in Manila space to focus on their mission of winning the Sea Games gold.
Kim Swee said he is not surprised that Malaysian clubs are approaching his players with deals for the next M-League season. This year’s M-League ended with the Malaysia Cup final on Nov 2.
Kim Swee made it clear in Manila yesterday that the players’ duties with the national squad need to be respected.
However, Kim Swee is aware such practice happens after the end of every season (from February to November).
“This (clubs approaching players) is normal when we play at the end of the year or in any (international) tournament which is held after the league ends,” said Kim Swee, when met at the squad’s training session at the Rizal Memorial Stadium yesterday.
“I am sure that the clubs and the players have their own opinions but we all know that this (Sea Games) is our national duty.
“If possible, I ask that they (players) be allowed to think about all this (negotiating and signing new contracts) after the Sea Games is over.
“It is important for us to give full focus to the tournament that we are competing in now.”
Kim Swee, whose team drew 1-1 with Myanmar in their opening game on Monday, stressed that the competition in Group A is still finely balanced.
“The group is still wide open, we know that the first game does not determine the outcome of the last game, so we have to be consistent,” added Kim Swee.
“I believe the situation will change after the second round of group matches. We have to take full points in our second, third and following matches to advance.”
Kim Swee said forward Akhyar Rashid, who suffered cramps against Myanmar, is recovering well.
He hopes Dominic Tan, Syamer Kutty Abba and Danial Amier Norhisham, who are suffering minor injuries, will be able to recover for Malaysia's next game against Philippines tomorrow.