Famous Last Words?

At times, BorakBola just think some Malaysian players are too manja (Pampered). You played badly, people criticise you, simple. Professionals would lift their heads and aim to improve and be better and to not repeat the same mistakes. Only children would go home and cry. You don't need psychologists to deal with this.

Are we men or little kids?

Norizan hits back at critics

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia coach Norizan Bakar has countered the criticism of his side’s AFC Asian Cup campaign with defiance ahead of the co-hosts’ final Group C game against Iran on Wednesday.

Malaysia’s opening 5-1 defeat to China was swiftly followed by an equally humiliating 5-0 loss at the hands of Uzbekistan, results that have led to the local press becoming increasingly hostile and the resignation of one of the country’s top football officials.

Despite Malaysia’s less than impressive displays, their first at an Asian Cup for 27 years, Norizan was adamant that he was in no mood to shirk his responsibilities.

“This tournament has brought its ups and downs but I do not want to run away from my responsibilities,” said the former Perlis and Penang boss.

“With all that is happening around us, with all the criticism and humiliation, even the best psychologists would struggle to help our team.

“I can see that team morale is quite low at the moment after the two defeats, and I have said that we must approach the Iran game in the right manner.

“I have just told the players that the criticism is part and parcel of football and that what is happening here at he Asian Cup can only help us in the future.”

Outplayed in their first two matches, Norizan also revealed the scale of his side’s defeats thus far will dictate how Malaysia line-up against an Iran side which needs a sizeable win to assure themselves of top spot in the group.

“Having seen them play, we know that Iran are a good team and from the beginning we have been assessing how we should approach the game,” said Norizan.

“We have to expect that the Iran side will be going all out against us. Our approach will therefore have to be a defensive one tomorrow. There will be changes to our starting line-up, in fact, there have to be changes.”

Keen for history not to repeat itself, Norizan insisted that the game at Kuala Lumpur’s Bukit Jalil National Stadium will be a question of damage limitation rather than a realistic chance for Malaysia to grab even a point.

“As you saw in the two games that we lost against China and Uzbekistan, when we tried to attack we were left very exposed at the back,” he added.

“Everyone is expecting Iran to win, so we have to be realistic. They need a big win and so therefore we have to try and stop them doing that by limiting the number of goals they score.”
Taken from AFC Asian Cup website

Norizan Wants Players to Dig In

Reeling after two heavy defeats, Malaysian coach Norizan Bakar is calling on his players to rise above all the chaos and criticism and claw back some pride against Iran in their final Asian Cup Group C on Wednesday.

Hammered 5-1 by China in their opening game last week, the co-hosts were humiliated 5-0 by Uzbekistan on Saturday.
Those one-sided results plunged Malaysian soccer into turmoil, with the Football Association of Malaysia's deputy president resigning on Sunday and sports leaders calling for others to follow suit.

Norizan, who has shouldered much of the blame, remains defiant, however.

'I'm only thinking about the match against Iran,' he told journalists on Tuesday. 'With all the criticism and humiliation, not even the best psychologist can help the team.

'I just told the players to face it and maybe it will make us stronger. We have to be realistic against Iran and hope we don't concede too many goals.'

Malaysia have already been eliminated from the Asian Cup. Iran beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their opener and then drew 2-2 with China. Victory would ensure them a place in the quarter-finals.
Taken from Soccernet