MALAYSIA will not make the mistake of underestimating Laos with a semi-final place in the AFF Suzuki Cup at stake in Palembang today. A spate of surprising results in the on-going tournament by so-called minnows Laos and Philippines shows there are no longer any easy games at Southeast Asian level.
Notwithstanding the 6-0 hammering Laos received from Indonesia, coach K. Rajagobal is preaching caution as Group A comes to its conclusion today.
With Indonesia and Thailand kicking off simultaneously in Jakarta, Rajagobal only wants his players focused on beating Laos and let the cards fall where they may.
"We have no choice but to win, it's as simple as that. I don't want to think about the other game, I just hope they (Indonesia) are professional enough to do it (beat Thailand)," said Rajagobal when reached in Palembang yesterday.
A win over Laos at the Jaka Baring Stadium would be in vain however if Thailand beat Indonesia, who have already secured top spot in the group and have little incentive to go all out.
Laos also retain a chance of qualifying for the last four having held Thailand 2-2 in the opening match.
But there is no guarantee Malaysia will claim the three points against Laos, who memorably stunned the Wan Jamak Wan Hassan-led national side 1-0 at the 1997 Jakarta Sea Games.
Since then Laos have held Malaysia twice in the Asean Championship -- 0-0 in 1998 and 1-1 in 2002 -- although in the last meeting between the two sides at the 2008 Asean tournament in Phuket, Malaysia won 3-0.
"There is no way we can underestimate them. I have seen them play and we need to be aggressive from the start and play at a high tempo.
"We only need one goal to win it, there is no need to hurry but we must also not waste the chances we get and make silly mistakes.
"We must maintain our concentration and rhythm for the full 90 minutes and try to unsettle the opponents," added Rajagobal.
There is a concern over the fitness of striker Safee Sali and midfielder Amirulhadi Zainal, who both suffered knocks in the 0-0 draw with Thailand on Saturday.
Rajagobal will assess their condition first before naming his side with Amri Yahyah or Izzaq Faris Ramlan standing by to replace Safee and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri the likely stand-in for Amirul.
Read more: Showing respect to Laos http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/peko_rl_k/Article#ixzz17PBC18Rr
Notwithstanding the 6-0 hammering Laos received from Indonesia, coach K. Rajagobal is preaching caution as Group A comes to its conclusion today.
With Indonesia and Thailand kicking off simultaneously in Jakarta, Rajagobal only wants his players focused on beating Laos and let the cards fall where they may.
"We have no choice but to win, it's as simple as that. I don't want to think about the other game, I just hope they (Indonesia) are professional enough to do it (beat Thailand)," said Rajagobal when reached in Palembang yesterday.
A win over Laos at the Jaka Baring Stadium would be in vain however if Thailand beat Indonesia, who have already secured top spot in the group and have little incentive to go all out.
Laos also retain a chance of qualifying for the last four having held Thailand 2-2 in the opening match.
But there is no guarantee Malaysia will claim the three points against Laos, who memorably stunned the Wan Jamak Wan Hassan-led national side 1-0 at the 1997 Jakarta Sea Games.
Since then Laos have held Malaysia twice in the Asean Championship -- 0-0 in 1998 and 1-1 in 2002 -- although in the last meeting between the two sides at the 2008 Asean tournament in Phuket, Malaysia won 3-0.
"There is no way we can underestimate them. I have seen them play and we need to be aggressive from the start and play at a high tempo.
"We only need one goal to win it, there is no need to hurry but we must also not waste the chances we get and make silly mistakes.
"We must maintain our concentration and rhythm for the full 90 minutes and try to unsettle the opponents," added Rajagobal.
There is a concern over the fitness of striker Safee Sali and midfielder Amirulhadi Zainal, who both suffered knocks in the 0-0 draw with Thailand on Saturday.
Rajagobal will assess their condition first before naming his side with Amri Yahyah or Izzaq Faris Ramlan standing by to replace Safee and Khyril Muhymeen Zambri the likely stand-in for Amirul.
Read more: Showing respect to Laos http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/peko_rl_k/Article#ixzz17PBC18Rr
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