National football coach Kwon Oh-son speaking in Myanmar. Picture: BT/Yee Chun Leong
Thursday, October 11, 2012
IT WILL be a battle of the minds when Brunei and Laos face off in
today's ASEAN Football Federation(AFF) Suzuki Cup qualifiers.
Both teams have one win and one loss to show from their two previous games, and they both know that only another win will keep them in contention for a place in next month's main event.
The Sultanate are coming off an emphatic 3-2 win over Cambodia on Tuesday to end their four-year wait for a triumph at this level while Laos slumped to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Timor Leste on the same day.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son believes that today's meeting at the Youth Training Centre in Yangon will boil down to which teams keeps their focus and concentration throughout the match.
"Which ever team is stronger mentally will win," he declared.
"Both teams are in the same situation and only a win will suffice for progression into the next round.
"We will need to play with the right mind and attitude because Laos are a strong team and have very good teamwork.
"The players are skillful individually and they move together really well, but I think that we are on the same level," added the South Korean.
The former Korean international admitted the team has a tough task at hand considering their schedule towards the end of the Oct 5-13 competition.
Brunei started off with a 1-0 loss to Myanmar on Friday and enjoyed a three-day break before embarking on a gruelling three-games over six-days spell with Saturday's game against Timor Leste their last match of the qualifiers.
Both today's and Saturday's ties are must-wins for Brunei, as Kwon was eager to point out.
"It will be tough to play three straight games but we will focus one game at a time," said Kwon.
"We must treat each game like it is the final.
"We cannot afford any draws and must win the rest of the games because only victories will ensure passage into the next round.
"The players believe and have the confidence," insisted the 53-year-old.
Not only was the win against Cambodia crucial in maintaining their hopes of reaching the Suzuki Cup, it was also their first victory since a 4-1 result against Timor Leste during the 2008 edition of the qualifiers.
Captain Rosmin Hj Md Kamis was glad the team managed to deliver against Cambodia and is hoping they can conjure up another good performance against Laos.
The team was trailing 1-0 at the break but battled back in the second half, scoring three goals in 18 minutes before Cambodia netted a second in injury time.
Laos' coach Kokichi Kimura knows exactly how crucial the matchup is and is also aiming to get a goal early on to boost the team morale.
However, the Japanese was also quick to point out that the hectic schedule meant that fatigue would be a factor.
"Tomorrow (Thursday) is a very important game because both teams need a win," he noted.
"We cannot afford a draw. We will require a fast goal but we know it will be a tough game.
"It is difficult and tiring to play four games in a row (but) the confidence of the players is there and we know both teams are almost at the same level," said the coach.
The game kicks off at 4.30pm Brunei time while the second match sees Myanmar go up against Cambodia at 6pm.The Brunei Times
Both teams have one win and one loss to show from their two previous games, and they both know that only another win will keep them in contention for a place in next month's main event.
The Sultanate are coming off an emphatic 3-2 win over Cambodia on Tuesday to end their four-year wait for a triumph at this level while Laos slumped to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Timor Leste on the same day.
National football coach Kwon Oh-son believes that today's meeting at the Youth Training Centre in Yangon will boil down to which teams keeps their focus and concentration throughout the match.
"Which ever team is stronger mentally will win," he declared.
"Both teams are in the same situation and only a win will suffice for progression into the next round.
"We will need to play with the right mind and attitude because Laos are a strong team and have very good teamwork.
"The players are skillful individually and they move together really well, but I think that we are on the same level," added the South Korean.
The former Korean international admitted the team has a tough task at hand considering their schedule towards the end of the Oct 5-13 competition.
Brunei started off with a 1-0 loss to Myanmar on Friday and enjoyed a three-day break before embarking on a gruelling three-games over six-days spell with Saturday's game against Timor Leste their last match of the qualifiers.
Both today's and Saturday's ties are must-wins for Brunei, as Kwon was eager to point out.
"It will be tough to play three straight games but we will focus one game at a time," said Kwon.
"We must treat each game like it is the final.
"We cannot afford any draws and must win the rest of the games because only victories will ensure passage into the next round.
"The players believe and have the confidence," insisted the 53-year-old.
Not only was the win against Cambodia crucial in maintaining their hopes of reaching the Suzuki Cup, it was also their first victory since a 4-1 result against Timor Leste during the 2008 edition of the qualifiers.
Captain Rosmin Hj Md Kamis was glad the team managed to deliver against Cambodia and is hoping they can conjure up another good performance against Laos.
The team was trailing 1-0 at the break but battled back in the second half, scoring three goals in 18 minutes before Cambodia netted a second in injury time.
Laos' coach Kokichi Kimura knows exactly how crucial the matchup is and is also aiming to get a goal early on to boost the team morale.
However, the Japanese was also quick to point out that the hectic schedule meant that fatigue would be a factor.
"Tomorrow (Thursday) is a very important game because both teams need a win," he noted.
"We cannot afford a draw. We will require a fast goal but we know it will be a tough game.
"It is difficult and tiring to play four games in a row (but) the confidence of the players is there and we know both teams are almost at the same level," said the coach.
The game kicks off at 4.30pm Brunei time while the second match sees Myanmar go up against Cambodia at 6pm.The Brunei Times
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