Man U Vs PIlihan Malaysia

Sir Alex Ferguson: Malaysia Need To Learn From South Korea And Japan
The veteran Scot has some words of advice for his south-east Asian hosts...
21 Jul 2009 02:11:56

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has told Malaysia that it needs to follow the examples set by South Korea and Japan if it wants to improve its domestic leagues and national team.

The English champions have faced the south-east Asians twice in the past three days, winning 3-2 and then 2-0.

Malaysia were the region’s top dogs in the 1970s but have since struggled to hold their own. They have slipped down the rankings and are currently listed as the 157th best team in the world by FIFA.

Speaking after the second of the two wins on Monday evening, the Scot advised his hosts to look to the big leagues in the east for continental inspiration.

“The Malaysians have the ability but they should look at the leagues in Japan and South Korea to produce better quality players,” Ferguson told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.

“They had some chances to score in the second half but they lack the killer instinct to finish it, and at this level, you need only that one chance to make the difference in the game.”

The English champions will get a chance to see just how good South Korea's league is when they face leaders FC Seoul on Friday evening in the penultimate match of their Asian tour.