APAC 2008: And So They Speak

Jason Chan and Khor Kuan Yang speak to frontlinersfloorball.blogspot ahead of the Asia Pacific Floorball Championships 2008 in Australia (25-29 August) on their medal chances, thoughts of the team and money matters.

FFC: Thoughts before the big moment?
Jason: I am pretty cool here.
Kuan Yang: Messy. So many things to handle last minute. The flight ticket, the visa, packing the bags and shopping for items. And also very pressured between training, working, shopping, packing and organising a tournament.

FFC: Do you think you'll ever get tired of pulling on the Malaysian jersey? How proud do you feel?
Jason: As long as my services are required, I'll be there. I wish that I don't have to play for Malaysia again in another three years time. I would prefer to see our own young and new generation rising up and don(ning) the national jersey. That's why I'm working hard on the grassroots. I hope that one day, I'll be sponsoring players to go abroad rather than playing myself.
Kuan Yang: Tired? Never. I'll try and go for as much international tournaments as possible within my financial reach and until you guys rise up and overtake us (laughs). Proud? Never thought of it with so many things to prepare and settle to go for APAC. Maybe after everything is done and when I sit down to reflect, maybe I'll feel proud representing Malaysia.

FFC: How hard is it for you, financially speaking, to scrape together enough for you to go to Australia?
Jason: Money is a big issue for everyone. It shouldn't be an excuse for anyone since coach has been talking about this since last year's APAC. I had to save and cut down some cost like food and travelling. It's hard for Penangites like me.
Surprisingly my dad decided to sponsor me to Perth after I finally convinced him that it is my dream to make floorball big in Malaysia. I am touched that my dad is willing to sponsor me. It means a lot to me.
However, I have saved some of my money to go to Perth just in case. I was ready to dig (in) my savings to go to Perth. If money is a problem, pray, and ask God for the money. God is always faithful.
Kuan Yang: Money is quite an issue. But with a little loan from my parents, I managed to cover it lor. So the more savings to repay the loan when I get back. Sweat.

FFC: What do you think of the team this year, compared to last year's?
Jason: I think that this year's team is tactics-wise stronger than the previous year. I believe we will be more tactical and organized. A lot of us have matured in our gameplay from last year after gaining more experience. And yes, I expect more discipline and authority from everyone especially with (our) new national coach, Edward Lim on the board.
Kuan Yang: I feel we are slightly lacking in man power with the NTU (Nanyang Technological University) fellas missing, and the absence of Penang's key players such as Des(wyn), "Suzie", Sam and Lin Ken. So there will be a lot of very tired legs in Perth.

FFC: Let's be objective. Where do you think the team's strengths and weaknesses lie?
Jason: The team (is) mainly made up of Penang representatives with some coming from Selangor. Penang players are technically good. The first line has good understanding and team play. We have good shooters like Ter Min and Kuan Yang. Both have good drag shots. I am counting on the two to get the goals. Besides that, Oliver is another good forward with some really hard shots. Malaysia has a good balance of right and left hand shooters.
We have a very strong defender, Sjaiful from KL who will be one of the pillars of the team. Inspirational, reliable and confident. He'll be a hard nut to crack for the opponents.
Our weakness will be the centre. We lack a proper playmaker like Deswyn or Sam. The others that have been entrusted that position may lack the experience to fill in the role. Many times we fail to effectively take control of the centre, leaving empty spaces for opponents to terrorize.
Aside from Sjaiful, we may lack proper defenders for the team at international level. Our other pillars in defence are not around.
Lack of international size playing experience and using of the board can be a shortcoming.
Fitness will be an issue. We need to be fit like Spartans to last the game at the international stage.
But personally, I feel that the strength of the Malaysian team this year will be the mastermind, Coach Edward Lim, the brains behind the team. I have faith that he'll cook up some strategy and tactics to get us through. He has proven himself to be Malaysia's best coach to me. I'm counting on him to bring us forward.
Kuan Yang: This is a hard one... strengths I would say half of the team has played together last year so we might gel faster than last year. Weakness... too many to start with, so let's hope for the best.

FFC: Can anything ever beat the emotion from last year's match against Australia B?
Jason: At this moment, that's the best moment in Malaysia floorball history. Why? You get to see Malays, Chinese and Indians from the whole (of) Malaysia, putting aside every difference and being united as Malaysians and fight for Malaysia. How often (do) you get to see that?
Kuan Yang: That was the most memorable match ever for me personally. Defending a power play with a 6-5 lead with less than 2 minutes, scoring the 7th goal which sealed the match, everyone when crazy and relieved. I hope we'll get to surpass last year's ecstasy with some good performances this time around.

FFC: Who do you think will be the team to watch out for; your toughest opponents; in this year's APAC?
Jason: It will definitely have to be Singapore. Playing against them is like playing against the Sweden of Asia. They've got everything. Skills, tactics and fitness. A team of players with flair. They are the favourites for the tournament.
Kuan Yang: I think all of them would be tough. The host, who would have trained together for quite awhile, the super-fit Koreans and the skillful Singaporeans. But I will have to single out the Singaporeans as our toughest opponents. Best team in Asia Pacific.

FFC: C'mon, we gotta have this: Predictions for Malaysia's medal chances?
Jason: We're fighting for at least one medal. So that's the target. We have a 50-50 chance to achieve that. This is the target set by the coach. I believe it's feasible. It's all in the mind. It's all in the heart. MALAYSIA BOLEH!!!
Kuan Yang: With five teams competing, we might manage to get our hands on bronze, maybe? Let's not think too far ahead, getting into the semi's should be realistic, so let's take it a game at a time.

FFC: Look forward to anything else beside the floorball in Perth?
Jason: I am focused. I am only here to play floorball for the country. The rest... I don't care. After coming a hard way to bring myself to the national team, that's the only thing on my mind.
Kuan Yang: Not really cause I don't really know what are the attractions in Perth. Leederville, to be exact.