'We continue to put up a good fight,' Brunei head coach says after loss to RP team
A stern look at his players is all that it would take for Kwon Oh Son, head coach of Brunei Team to deliver the needed strategy.
With some three years in intensive soccer training for the Brunei Football Team, Kwon takes with him decades of love and passion for the sport from his years of professional football in Korea.
Kwon accepted the invite and challenge from the Brunei Government to transform young Brunei football players into world-class athletes. The language barriers and cultural differences seemed not to matter for in Kwon's words, "the love for football makes it easy."
In an exclusive interview, Kwon told The News Today (TNT), "my main purpose is for the over-all development of soccer in Brunei." And he is encouraged, he said, of the dedication and eagerness of the players to excel.
Brunei Team lost to the Philippine Team during Tuesday's game at the Iloilo Sports Complex. Kwon was quick on his post-game thoughts though saying, he was happy for the Philippine Team.
"I am very happy for Philippines. It was an exciting game. We played our role… a good game... we put up a good fight… we continue now to put up a good fight," Kwon said.
Kwon is a 'football-institution' in Korea. He was a professional soccer player, head coach of the Korea Metropolitan Team and official of the Korea Football Association Technical Community then later, head coach of the Brunei Youth National Football Team.
And what is his coaching-style like?
Kwon shared that what motivates him to this day is the great love and passion for football. As such, he continues to push the players hard while adding the hard time his team have during trainings here.
"It takes a lot of time to develop the skill for soccer but I am patient about it… I am just thankful for this trip," he added.
Meantime, medical results for Mohammad Shahrin Zani (No. 5) are eagerly awaited with the young Brunei player injured in Tuesday's game.
Mohammad had to be rushed to a local hospital for an MRI minutes after he was aided by medical responders out of the football field. It was not immediately clear what injuries were sustained however Kwon said Mohammad appeared to have been badly hurt on his left leg.
A total of four Brunei players were injured with one unable to participate in the forthcoming games.