Winning the AFF cup is the target, Malaysia's head coach says ahead of semi-final clash with Thailand

PATHUM THANI, Thailand: Malaysia national head coach Kim Pan Gon admitted that winning the 2022 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF Cup) remains his important target with the Harimau Malaya squad.

That was acknowledged by Pan Gon ahead of the clash against defending champions Thailand in the 2022 AFF Cup semi-final second-leg match at the Thammasat Stadium for a place in the final.

The 53-year-old South Korean coach, who was appointed in January last year, said if Malaysia made it to the finals this time, it would be an honour for him to make the country's football fans happy, before going on to challenge for the title against Vietnam.

“Personally to me the AFF Cup is a very interesting tournament. When I was in Hong Kong and South Korea it's was very interesting to watch this tournament. When I became Malaysia’s national team head coach, to be champion is one of the main targets.

“This is one of the important targets for me, so if we go to the final it will be a great honour for me and the Malaysian football fans,” he told a pre-match press conference in on Monday.

Despite being grateful with the 1-0 win victory at home last Saturday, Pan Gon said his players must always focus and be aware of the capabilities of the War Elephants squad, especially when playing on their own turf.

However, he said his squad was physically and mentally prepared for Tuesday's match.

“We have a good advantage but we are fully aware that away games are very tough, however we are mentally and physically well recovered and prepared for (Tuesday's) game. All are ready and full of confidence to play against Thailand, we want to have good result,” he said.

Meanwhile, midfielder Stuart Wilkin said the team cannot just play defensively, but instead need to find