In a bold move that has sent ripples through the Southeast Asian football community, renowned Malaysian coach Ong Kim Swee has embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career by taking the reins at Indonesian Liga 1 club Persis Solo. The announcement, which came just days after Ong bid farewell to Malaysian Super League side Sabah FA, marks the first time the seasoned tactician will ply his trade outside his homeland.
A New Challenge on Foreign Soil
For Ong Kim Swee, the decision to venture abroad and test his mettle in the competitive world of Indonesian football is a testament to his unwavering passion for the beautiful game and his desire to push the boundaries of his coaching abilities. Speaking about his new role, Ong expressed his excitement and determination to succeed:
“I see this as an opportunity with a club that has sufficiently high goals, where I will now play my role together with Persis to ensure all parties have the same objective. That objective is to ensure Persis is in a good position. My main goal is to ensure we perform better moving forward.”
Ong Kim Swee, Persis Solo Head Coach
The task at hand is no walk in the park, as Persis Solo currently find themselves in a precarious position, occupying the third and final relegation spot in Liga 1. However, with only 11 games played in the season, there is ample time for Ong to work his magic and steer the club to safety.
A Wealth of Experience
Ong Kim Swee brings with him a wealth of experience, having spent over two decades coaching in Malaysia. His journey began in 2004 with his hometown club Malacca (now Melaka United) and has since seen him take on various roles within the Malaysian football ecosystem. Some of his most notable achievements include:
- Leading the Malaysia U-23 team to a gold medal at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games
- Guiding the Malaysian senior national team at the 2016 ASEAN Championship
- Serving as the technical director of the Football Association of Malaysia
- Helping Sabah FA secure back-to-back third-place finishes in the Malaysia Super League
Nurturing Young Talent
One of Ong’s strengths as a coach lies in his ability to nurture and develop young talent. At Persis Solo, he will have the opportunity to work with a crop of promising youngsters, including 21-year-old Indonesian striker Ramadhan Santana and 17-year-old prodigy Arkhan Kaka, who was named by The Guardian as one of the best players in the world in his age group.
However, Ong recognizes the importance of finding the right balance between youth and experience, stating:
“I’m aware of the fact that Persis have many young players and this is an advantage. But to compete at the highest level of competition, we must have a combination of senior players and young players. It is important for us to have a game style and to find a balance in every position.”
Ong Kim Swee, Persis Solo Head Coach
The Power of the Twelfth Man
As he embarks on this new challenge, Ong Kim Swee is well aware of the passionate nature of Indonesian football fans and the crucial role they play in a team’s success. Drawing from his experiences in both Malaysia and Indonesia, Ong believes that the fervent support of the Persis Solo faithful could be the key to turning the club’s fortunes around.
“Based on my experience when in Indonesia, Malaysia or in national team [meetings], Indonesian supporters are more fanatical. For me, this is an advantage for any team. It will definitely help Persis if all the supporters unite and provide us with motivation. I believe, in football, it is not only the 11 players who determine success but also the supporters, who play an important role.”
Ong Kim Swee, Persis Solo Head Coach
The Road Ahead
Ong Kim Swee’s first test as Persis Solo head coach will come on Tuesday when his side hosts Barito Putera at the Manahan Stadium. This fixture kicks off a demanding month of December, during which the club could potentially be without the services of young stars Arkhan and Zanadin Fariz, who have been called up to the Indonesian national team for the upcoming ASEAN Championship.
As the Malaysian mastermind sets out to navigate the challenges of Indonesian football, the eyes of Southeast Asia will be firmly fixed on his progress. Can Ong Kim Swee replicate his success on foreign soil and cement his status as one of the region’s most respected coaches? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the Solo adventure has begun, and football fans across the continent are in for a thrilling ride.
