At the last Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-17 Youth Championship, the Brunei side played some gallant matches against the likes of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and hosts Cambodia to prove that their youth programme is heading in the right direction.
The 49-year-old former centre back for Korean clubs LG Goldstar and Hyundai gives us his impression over his current sojourn in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Prior to coming to Brunei, what were you doing?
A: I was the head coach for Seoul Metropolitan – a team in the Second Division of the Korean League. I was also a member of the Korean FA Technical Committee before I was asked by the FA to come to Brunei and help them with their development programme.
Given the prevailing conditions of football in Brunei, why did you take the job?
Apart from the fact that it was a government to government project, I also wanted to come to Brunei as part of a personal challenge – in wanting to make a difference.
I felt that I needed to try to do work where there's a lot of work to be done and thus far with the cooperation of the Brunei FA, we have seen some interesting things taking place.
What kind of things?
Well, I believe that we now have a systematic programme in place where the Brunei Under-21 teams which have been playing in the last two editions of the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup are the same teams which played at the Sukma (the Malaysian Games).
Sure we did not make the semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup but in the last edition, we came close and that speaks volume for a country with a small population playing against the big teams in the region.
What are the subtle differences that you can see since taking over the youth development?
The first time when I took over the team, the players could only complete a circuit of physical workout in more than seven minutes. But now, most of them can do it in under six minutes. That is improvement. The players are also learning the importance of stamina and concentration.
And also the fact that they must at all times be tactically aware when they are playing against strong teams who are able to change their formation at any time.
What is your recommendations to the Brunei FA?
We need more development work where apart from BAFA, there's a need for the government, the coaches and also the youth council to work together for a single purpose. I believe that we need to have a two-tier league system – A-League with 10 teams and the B-League with 12 teams. There will be promotions and relegations for the top two and also the corresponding bottom two teams. But we have to make the Brunei League strong, so that we can have better representation at the national level.
How do you see the standard of Asean football?
At the Under-15 level, the standard among the big teams like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, is the same as other Asian countries like Japan and Korea. But these players need more support in as far as the mental attitude is concerned. Otherwise, they will lose out as they get older which is what is happening at the moment.
What is your philosophy in football?
I treat all the players like my own sons, which means that like my own sons, I would like to give them the correct teaching and the correct mental attitude so that they will grow up to be good professionals. There's a tendency to forget that the basic is the most important thing in whatever that you are doing, whether it is football or life. Without the right basic, the end result will be all wrong.
How has your stay been in Brunei?
I have no complaints. The Brunei FA have taken care of things well. And although I miss home sometimes, having your family with you makes a lot of difference and it has been a memorable experience here in Brunei.
Will you extend your stay in Brunei?
My contract ends in November 2008 but that is really up to the two governments to decide. But whether I stay or otherwise, I hope that I have made enough of an impression on the young players for them to aspire to be better.
The 49-year-old former centre back for Korean clubs LG Goldstar and Hyundai gives us his impression over his current sojourn in Bandar Seri Begawan.
Prior to coming to Brunei, what were you doing?
A: I was the head coach for Seoul Metropolitan – a team in the Second Division of the Korean League. I was also a member of the Korean FA Technical Committee before I was asked by the FA to come to Brunei and help them with their development programme.
Given the prevailing conditions of football in Brunei, why did you take the job?
Apart from the fact that it was a government to government project, I also wanted to come to Brunei as part of a personal challenge – in wanting to make a difference.
I felt that I needed to try to do work where there's a lot of work to be done and thus far with the cooperation of the Brunei FA, we have seen some interesting things taking place.
What kind of things?
Well, I believe that we now have a systematic programme in place where the Brunei Under-21 teams which have been playing in the last two editions of the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup are the same teams which played at the Sukma (the Malaysian Games).
Sure we did not make the semi-finals of the Hassanal Bolkiah Cup but in the last edition, we came close and that speaks volume for a country with a small population playing against the big teams in the region.
What are the subtle differences that you can see since taking over the youth development?
The first time when I took over the team, the players could only complete a circuit of physical workout in more than seven minutes. But now, most of them can do it in under six minutes. That is improvement. The players are also learning the importance of stamina and concentration.
And also the fact that they must at all times be tactically aware when they are playing against strong teams who are able to change their formation at any time.
What is your recommendations to the Brunei FA?
We need more development work where apart from BAFA, there's a need for the government, the coaches and also the youth council to work together for a single purpose. I believe that we need to have a two-tier league system – A-League with 10 teams and the B-League with 12 teams. There will be promotions and relegations for the top two and also the corresponding bottom two teams. But we have to make the Brunei League strong, so that we can have better representation at the national level.
How do you see the standard of Asean football?
At the Under-15 level, the standard among the big teams like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, is the same as other Asian countries like Japan and Korea. But these players need more support in as far as the mental attitude is concerned. Otherwise, they will lose out as they get older which is what is happening at the moment.
What is your philosophy in football?
I treat all the players like my own sons, which means that like my own sons, I would like to give them the correct teaching and the correct mental attitude so that they will grow up to be good professionals. There's a tendency to forget that the basic is the most important thing in whatever that you are doing, whether it is football or life. Without the right basic, the end result will be all wrong.
How has your stay been in Brunei?
I have no complaints. The Brunei FA have taken care of things well. And although I miss home sometimes, having your family with you makes a lot of difference and it has been a memorable experience here in Brunei.
Will you extend your stay in Brunei?
My contract ends in November 2008 but that is really up to the two governments to decide. But whether I stay or otherwise, I hope that I have made enough of an impression on the young players for them to aspire to be better.
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