Ong Kim Swee showed his incredible ability to bounce back from setbacks during his last meeting at the Malaysian FA.
On Monday, the Malaysian FA (FAM) announced the appointment of former Malaysian and Malaysian U-23 head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee as technical director.
The 50-year-old manager replaces Dutchman Peter de Roo, who left the post at the end of last year.
Although he had three terms as head coach of the Malaysia senior squad, twice as an interim and ultimately as a permanent member, it was his time as a Malaysia U-23 that was without most memorable doubt.
He guided the Young Tigers to the gold medal in men’s football at the South East Asian Games (SEA) in 2011, and years later brought them to a higher stadium, that of the continent. .
After leading their teams to the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship finals, they went on to topple the favorites Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final group game to advance to the round of 16, the best record of Malaysia in the competition.
Later that year he bolstered his reputation as a manager capable of driving his team past their weight, when the Malaysia U-22 clinched a stunning 2-1 group stage victory over eventual champions Korea. South, en route to advance to the knockout stages of the 2018 Asian Games football competition.
Malaysia U-23 vs. South Korea U-23. Getty / Composite Goal
But all good things must come to an end, and his stellar run with the Young Tigers would end in 2019. At the start of the year, they failed to advance to the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship final, and then only reached the group. stage of the SEA Games 2019.
Although his contract as head coach was not extended beyond the year, FAM still appreciated the services of the man who in 2017 said Goal that he was “honored to be able to continue serving the AFM”, when he was then reassigned to the U-23 team of the senior team, rather unfairly, following a change in the administration of the association .
Following the second separation between him and the Young Tigers, the FAM appointed him in January 2020 as head of the Youth Development Unit.
Almost a year later, Kim Swee was given a much bigger role at FAM, proof of her ability to take setbacks in her stride and overcome any disappointments through her persistence and dedication to work. relentless.
