Ong expects a much tighter game
Published on: Thursday, November 30, 2023
By: GL Oh
Ong also played down his past experience as coach of the Harimau Muda team playing in the Singapore League will work to his advantage.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah FC’s head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee expects a much tighter match against Hougang United FC in the second round of their Group H AFC Cup tie at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight (Thursday).
In the first round tie played at Likas Stadium on September 21, Sabah FC had a comfortable 3-1 win but Ong believes Hougang United will be a different side tonight with their home ground advantage.
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“It is going to be a very important game for both teams. We can expect a different team than the one we played against earlier.
“Hougang United are a very good team. I am sure there will be great intensity as they want a good result and at the same time we also need a good result to put us in a good position.
“We need to be fully focused and hopefully we can achieve a positive result. I believe with the momentum that we have and the discipline that we have shown in the past few games we can achieve the target,” he said at the press conference in Singapore on Wednesday.
Ong also played down his past experience as coach of the Harimau Muda team playing in the Singapore League will work to his advantage.
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“It is good to be back in Singapore but the past result as Harimau Muda coach will play no part in the game tomorrow.
“It was totally different with the Harimau Muda youth team and now I am in a club and my past experience here does not mean that I can get a good result without hard work.”
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He added that he will take into account the fitness of the players before naming the squad.
“We are towards the end of the season and there are bound to be some injuries and fatigue especially to the national players.
“Of course we have plans to counter that but the final decision on the starting 11 will only be made a few hours before the match,” he said.
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