KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Kim Pan Gon often receives direct messages (DMs) on his Instagram account, questioning his player selections for international matches. The South Korean coach feels stressed and does not appreciate fans slipping into his DMs.
"We select players based on tactical and technical reasons, considering how we want to approach a game," said Pan Gon on the first day of centralised training at Wisma FAM, Kelana Jaya today.
"We look for players who fit the team's characteristics and can add value. "However, the noise on social media regarding player selection is overwhelming and stressful.
"There are too many demands and too much talk on my Instagram, which is not an ideal way to communicate.
"I believe we have chosen the best players for the job."
The 25-member squad are currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.
Harimau Malaya will kick off their Group D campaign against Kyrgyzstan at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday.
When asked about the possibility of their rivals missing key players, Pan Gon refused to comment.
"We will focus on ourselves and try to play a good game," added Pan Gon.