Pan-gon says no to Brazil showdown, prefers teams on par with Malaysia

Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin

PETALING JAYA: Brazil were keen on taking on Malaysia but national football coach Kim Pan-gon had other ideas.

Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin revealed that officials from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) had stated their interest during FIFA events to play the national team.

But the South Korean coach felt that Malaysia should cut their coat according to their cloth, that is by playing against sides that are on par with them, as he looks to improve Harimau Malaya’s world rankings.

“Brazil wanted to play us. But I said not now. Coach Kim doesn’t want it. I told him Brazil wanted to play but he said not this time. Let’s wait for the right time,” Hamidin said when asked if he would follow in the footsteps of Indonesia, who will be playing Argentina in an international friendly in Jakarta on June 19.

“Argentina’s vice-president invited us (to play) last year. I’ve got good connections but Pan-gon wants us to stick to reality.”

In the June friendly period, Malaysia will take on the Solomon Islands (June 14) and Papua New Guinea (June 20) at the Sultan Mizan Stadium in Gong Badak, Terengganu.

Malaysia were supposed to face Yemen but they pulled out at the last minute, citing the lack of several main players who are part of the Under-23 team competing in the West Asia Championship in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Hamidin is aware of off-field issues plaguing Kelantan, where players’ salaries have been held due to poor performance.

Several Kelantan players have met the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) to air their grouse on the situation.

Kelantan owner Norizam Tukiman, however, announced on Tuesday that the management has settled all their salaries and there are no more arrears.

Norizam, who is fondly known as Zamsaham, also confirmed that the remaining 50% of the salaries withheld will be paid in full, thus hoping that the players will be able to give their best against Kelantan United today.

But Hamidin is keeping an eye on the situation.

“Malaysian Football League (MFL) are aware and we see it too. MFL’s legal side is doing something. We will continue monitoring the situation. There is a dispute. It’s at the halfway stage now. We will wait before speaking.

“I do not want to defend or give opinions. Let the committee decide. Whoever is not happy, submit a complaint and we will analyse it. I am aware of what’s happening.”