Tight marking: South Korea’s Son Heung-min trying to break free from three Jordan defenders during their Group E match. — AFP
DOHA: The Malaysian football team are not overawed by the reputation of superstar Son Heung-min and the tactical acumen of high-profile German coach Juergen Klinsmann when they clash with South Korea in their final Group E match at the Asian Cup today.
Winger Safawi Rasid (pic) said the Harimau Malaya would not be under pressure as they are already out of contention for the knockout stage and would only be aiming to dent the reputation of the Taegeuk Warriors.
Safawi has fond memories of playing against Heung-min once, when the Malaysian Under-23 side took on South Korea in a group match at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang.He won the duel with the Tottenham hotshot by scoring a brace in a shock 2-1 win for Malaysia, then coached by Datuk Ong Kim Swee.
But despite the defeat to Malaysia, South Korea still went on to win the gold medal.
“Everyone knows Heung-min is a great player ... I know his ability. In one-on-one situations, he may get through but if it’s two against one or three against one, it’s possible that we can contain him,’’ said Safawi.
“He (Heung-min) is only human. I think we have the advantage as we will be defending and he will be attacking. I believe in my teammates and coach (Kim Pan-gon).’’
The 26-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player said the team would be adopting their usual approach of trying to pressure South Korea into making mistakes.
“We will pile the pressure on them and from there, we will seize the opportunity to attack,” he added.
In tonight’s match at the Al Janoub Stadium, South Korea need only one point to confirm their place in the last 16 while Malaysia are already out of the running after losing their first two matches against Jordan (0-4) and Bahrain (0-1).
The Taegeuk Warriors, however, have not exactly been firing on all cylinders as they have only managed to collect four points after two matches and are second behind group leaders Jordan on goal difference.
The Koreans beat Bahrain 3-1 but needed an own goal by Jordan to salvage a 2-2 draw.
There is a possibility that Malaysia could rattle a relaxed South Korean side, as they may not be too keen to top Group E as that will see them having to play Group D runners-up Japan in the last 16.
South Korea, ranked No. 23 in the world, will face Group F champions, either Saudi Arabia or Thailand, in the last 16 if they finish second in their group.
The Koreans also need to conserve their resources for the knockout stage as their No. 1 goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu is out of the tournament due to a knee injury while seven other players are on yellow cards — a caution away from suspension.
Among those at risk of suspension are Bayern Munich centreback Kim Min-jae, Red Star Belgrade midfielder Hwang In-beom, Midtjylland striker Cho Gue-sung and Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Safawi said even a victory over South Korea cannot change Malaysia’s fortunes but they are certainly determined to end their campaign on a fighting note.
“Everyone here (in the team) remained enthusiastic going into our last match because we try not to go back empty-handed,” he said.
“We have 90 minutes to try to redeem our reputation. We will try, God willing, because that is our target for the sake of pride for Malaysia.
“We want to bring home at least one point.
“It is not impossible if we work as a team and fight for a positive result.
“If coach Kim (Pan-gon) picks me to play, I will give my 100% commitment.”
This will be the second encounter between Malaysia and South Korea in the group stage of the Asian Cup, with the two teams drawing 1-1 in the 1980 edition in Kuwait. Former striker Zulkifli Hamzah scored the equaliser for Malaysia then.
The two countries last met in a competitive match in 1989, in a World Cup qualifier which Malaysia lost 0-3.
And the last time a Malaysian senior side beat South Korea was back in 1985, also in a World Cup qualifier, at the Merdeka Stadium. Malaysia won 1-0 with Dollah Salleh finding the back of the net.
