Have faith in local talent, says Teong Kim

SHAH ALAM - Perak FC coach Datuk Lim Teong Kim has called on critics to calm their expectations ahead of the new Malaysian Super League (MSL) season with the new-look squad, without big names and foreign players, relishing the opportunity.

In saying so, Lim defended the need for up-and-coming players to be given the opportunity and time to prove themselves, citing the lack of room for their development in a league where teams often prefered to fill the maximum quota of foreigners.

"The problems can’t be solved if nobody gives a chance to local players. My opinion is that not only Malaysia, everywhere, in England or Germany they have the same idea.

"I made the right decision for the local players - not that they’re not good but what’s important is the training. They should be given a chance and they need to learn to compete,” he told media at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Federal Territories Minister's Cup match against Kuala Lumpur City tomorrow.

The former Mokhtar Dahari Academy director said the fans needed to have faith in local players, while the players themselves needed to look seriously at advancing their careers as it was now their livelihood.

"With proper training and a proper management team, we are in the right direction. Now wait for the result,” he said.

On the return of former national striker V Saravanan as part of the Perak FC coaching staff, he contended that there would be no difference in training approach for the players and he possessed great skills.

"There will be no difference since he has UEFA A license as well. The way football players trained in Europe might be different but in terms of ideology will be the same," he said.