Although APAC 2009, Korea, is something of a distant memory by now, we (BBF) still managed to get hold of our State/National coach, Edward Lim (EL), for a short interview to see what he thinks about this year's campaign.
BBF: You've been coaching the national team for about half a year prior to APAC 2009. What was your aim in that several months of training? What was your strategy in building the team up?
EL: The aim was to develop a team that was competitive. We have to be holistic in our approach. The team needed to be strong mentally, physically and technically. Most of the time were spent on the first two mentioned as I feel that we are weakest there.
BBF: How was it like coaching the team from the coach's eye? Was it frustrating? Stressful?
EL: Frustrating when players “just don’t get it”…haha. Of course, all this is part of the job, but it was a great learning experience for all in the coaching team and I believe for the players as well having us as coaches. No complains there … ;)
BBF: At the end of the APAC 2009 outing, do you think the team performed as you'd expected?
EL: Given the circumstances I think the team did relatively well. There were times when the team rose to the occasion and others when they underperformed. So, it was a give and take in terms of expectations although I would have loved it if the team surprised me and rise to the occasion in every game.
BBF: As a national team and as compared to previous APAC, what improvement/s do you see in them in APAC 2009?
EL: There has been improvement in the general commitment of the team. Both to the team mates and to the sport as a whole, and that is great to see. The team has also improved technically as there are many more players who are technically better here than in the previous outings that I have been in. The team is just “tighter” this time.
BBF: Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia and India participated in APAC 2009. Which team do you think improved the most since you last saw them? In what sense?
EL: Can I vote for Malaysia? (smile).
BBF: Malaysia beat Singapore, India and put up a good fight against Australia although they lost to them in the end. Do you think Malaysia could have won the game against Aussie? (Arguably, that was Malaysia's best game) Or were they just too good for the Malaysia team?
EL: In sports anything can happen. Of course it is possible to beat the Aussies. What is important now is not to think about the loss but look forward to a win in the next meeting.
BBF: The match against Korea, on the other hand, was probably Malaysia's lowest point in the competition. Korea wasn't as strong as last year and yet the national team lost to them pretty bad. They practically lost it from the very first period. What do you think went wrong in that game?
EL: One thing that we can learn from that game was not to overrate the team. I think that the players mentally overrated them was lost the game mentally. Of course, they were also physically stronger and that is another area that we will need to develop further. We will need to learn to play a more physical game as well.
BBF: Malaysia had the smallest squad in the competition with only 11 players. That obviously affected the spirit and mental state of the team as a whole. But in hindsight, how do you think the team fare in spite of being outnumbered by other countries?
EL: Well, it is better to have a small squad who are competitive than a large one that is not but having only 2 lines with no changes has many limitations, and we don’t intend to field such a small team again. There is just so much you can do with such a small team and I don’t think there is anything to be proud about by just having 11 players, unless you win a medal. So the issue is not how we fared with a small team, but just, how we fared. Period.
BBF: Obviously, they was a big hoo-ha going about regarding all those last minute pull-out from selected players. As a coach, was it hard to handle all these last minute pull-outs from players? Clearly, you stated a period of 2 weeks for players to decide on whether they can make it for APAC 2009 or not (giving them time to sort out their leaves, finance and so on) and yet despite all these, players still pull out, what more at the very last minute. How did you go around handling them? Do you think team Malaysia's management on such issue should be a little more strict and disciplined?
EL: Of course it is something that was very difficult not only for the coaches, but for all. The management and players were also affected. We are taking greater steps to help ensure that such things will be minimized in the future. You will hear about some new implementations and procedures soon.
BBF: Team Malaysia will be resuming their national training in due time. What do have in mind as you aim for the next APAC outing? What will be your focus this time around?
EL: The aim for the next outing is to get into the World Cup. Isn’t that what every nation is eyeing for? The focus will still be the same, and that is to send a team that is competitive, but this time we will have a medal on our minds. Having said that, it is important that all the players show the utmost commitment and that we have the players that we need playing in the APAC in order to be competitive. Everyone needs to be committed to want to make it happen!
BBF: For APAC 2009, who in the Malaysia team impressed you and why?
No doubt that everybody has their highs and lows, so it is not easy to single out one person. But, without being bias to Borak, and if I really have to give only one name, then I think it will be Christopher. He rose up the most from his usual game that we see in Penang.
A heartfelt thanks to Coach Edward for giving his time for this interview.
BBF: You've been coaching the national team for about half a year prior to APAC 2009. What was your aim in that several months of training? What was your strategy in building the team up?
EL: The aim was to develop a team that was competitive. We have to be holistic in our approach. The team needed to be strong mentally, physically and technically. Most of the time were spent on the first two mentioned as I feel that we are weakest there.
BBF: How was it like coaching the team from the coach's eye? Was it frustrating? Stressful?
EL: Frustrating when players “just don’t get it”…haha. Of course, all this is part of the job, but it was a great learning experience for all in the coaching team and I believe for the players as well having us as coaches. No complains there … ;)
BBF: At the end of the APAC 2009 outing, do you think the team performed as you'd expected?
EL: Given the circumstances I think the team did relatively well. There were times when the team rose to the occasion and others when they underperformed. So, it was a give and take in terms of expectations although I would have loved it if the team surprised me and rise to the occasion in every game.
BBF: As a national team and as compared to previous APAC, what improvement/s do you see in them in APAC 2009?
EL: There has been improvement in the general commitment of the team. Both to the team mates and to the sport as a whole, and that is great to see. The team has also improved technically as there are many more players who are technically better here than in the previous outings that I have been in. The team is just “tighter” this time.
BBF: Japan, Korea, Singapore, Australia and India participated in APAC 2009. Which team do you think improved the most since you last saw them? In what sense?
EL: Can I vote for Malaysia? (smile).
BBF: Malaysia beat Singapore, India and put up a good fight against Australia although they lost to them in the end. Do you think Malaysia could have won the game against Aussie? (Arguably, that was Malaysia's best game) Or were they just too good for the Malaysia team?
EL: In sports anything can happen. Of course it is possible to beat the Aussies. What is important now is not to think about the loss but look forward to a win in the next meeting.
BBF: The match against Korea, on the other hand, was probably Malaysia's lowest point in the competition. Korea wasn't as strong as last year and yet the national team lost to them pretty bad. They practically lost it from the very first period. What do you think went wrong in that game?
EL: One thing that we can learn from that game was not to overrate the team. I think that the players mentally overrated them was lost the game mentally. Of course, they were also physically stronger and that is another area that we will need to develop further. We will need to learn to play a more physical game as well.
BBF: Malaysia had the smallest squad in the competition with only 11 players. That obviously affected the spirit and mental state of the team as a whole. But in hindsight, how do you think the team fare in spite of being outnumbered by other countries?
EL: Well, it is better to have a small squad who are competitive than a large one that is not but having only 2 lines with no changes has many limitations, and we don’t intend to field such a small team again. There is just so much you can do with such a small team and I don’t think there is anything to be proud about by just having 11 players, unless you win a medal. So the issue is not how we fared with a small team, but just, how we fared. Period.
BBF: Obviously, they was a big hoo-ha going about regarding all those last minute pull-out from selected players. As a coach, was it hard to handle all these last minute pull-outs from players? Clearly, you stated a period of 2 weeks for players to decide on whether they can make it for APAC 2009 or not (giving them time to sort out their leaves, finance and so on) and yet despite all these, players still pull out, what more at the very last minute. How did you go around handling them? Do you think team Malaysia's management on such issue should be a little more strict and disciplined?
EL: Of course it is something that was very difficult not only for the coaches, but for all. The management and players were also affected. We are taking greater steps to help ensure that such things will be minimized in the future. You will hear about some new implementations and procedures soon.
BBF: Team Malaysia will be resuming their national training in due time. What do have in mind as you aim for the next APAC outing? What will be your focus this time around?
EL: The aim for the next outing is to get into the World Cup. Isn’t that what every nation is eyeing for? The focus will still be the same, and that is to send a team that is competitive, but this time we will have a medal on our minds. Having said that, it is important that all the players show the utmost commitment and that we have the players that we need playing in the APAC in order to be competitive. Everyone needs to be committed to want to make it happen!
BBF: For APAC 2009, who in the Malaysia team impressed you and why?
No doubt that everybody has their highs and lows, so it is not easy to single out one person. But, without being bias to Borak, and if I really have to give only one name, then I think it will be Christopher. He rose up the most from his usual game that we see in Penang.
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A heartfelt thanks to Coach Edward for giving his time for this interview.
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