"I gave a good impression to Klinsmann. Malaysia will be considered a strong team
Malaysian national soccer team coach Kim Pan-gon left a comment on the visit of Jürgen Klinsmann, who recently learned Southeast Asian soccer through his business trip to Malaysia and Singapore. During Klinsmann's visit, Kim said, "I will respect Malaysia as I watched Southeast Asian club soccer, which is not lagging behind the K-League."
Klinsmann recently had the opportunity to learn Southeast Asian soccer in the country through his business trip to Southeast Asia. Coach Klinsmann watched the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Johor Darul Takzim-Ulsan Hyundai match at Johor Baru on the 7th, and the Ryan City Salers-Jeonbuk Hyundai match in Singapore near the 8th. Unfortunately, the K League clubs did not perform well in these two games. Ulsan lost 1-2 to Johor Darul Takzim, while Jeonbuk also lost 0-2.
Coach Kim also watched the match between Takzim and Ulsan, who handled Johor Darul, at Johor Baru on the 7th. Heads of both teams checked the characteristics of the players in one place to prepare for the Korea-Malaysia match to be held at the 2023 AFC Qatar Asian Cup.
Coach Kim is training the national team players for the second Asian qualifying match of the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup against Kyrgyzstan scheduled for the 16th at Bukit Jaryl National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur and the second qualifying match against Taiwan at Taipei Stadium on the 21st.
Naturally, Malaysian media asked director Kim Pan-gon questions about coach Klinsmann's visit. According to Malaysian media "Makan Bola", head coach Kim said at an official press conference for the Malaysian national soccer team, "Coach Klinsmann seems to be preparing for the second Asian qualifying match against Singapore and the Asian Cup against Malaysia." I think I came here to watch Southeast Asian soccer, but I don't know about it, so I came here. Klinsmann came to Asia recently and seemed to want to see something. I think we made a good impression on Clinsman," he said.
Kim explained why he was able to give a good impression to Klinsmann. Manager Kim said, "Coach Klinsmann thinks Malaysia is a strong team. "Since Ryan City beat Jeonbuk 2-0, Singapore will also be considered a strong team," he said.
"That's why I like to show Clinsman Malaysia, such as the atmosphere here, the level of the stadium and supporters, and the level of the game. The match between Johor Darling Takjim and Ulsan was a really high-quality game. Thanks to this, we seem to have made a good impression on Clinsman. Klinsmann said, "I will respect Malaysia, and I hope you respect Singapore in the match against Singapore."
Meanwhile, the match between South Korea and Malaysia is expected to take place in the third round of Group E of the Qatar Asian Cup scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on January 25, 2024 at Al Janoub Stadium in Doha.