Axed Malaysian coach praises players

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Reuters) Sacked Malaysian coach Norizan Bakar praised his players for their ''team spirit and togetherness'' after his final match in charge, a 2-0 Asian Cup Group C loss to Iran.

Norizan was told before his team went out to face Iran that his contract, due to expire in September, was to be terminated immediately.

The 46-year-old bore the brunt of criticism after co-hosts Malaysia lost 5-1 to China and 5-0 to Uzbekistan in their first two group matches.

''I think the decision is unfair,'' he told journalists.

''I have always tried my level best with the personnel at my disposal. With all the criticism and humiliation, the morale of the players was very low. I have to take my hat off to them, they showed real guts.

''It's very hard for them and they showed true team sprit and togetherness.'' Norizan's exit follows that of Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, who last week resigned as deputy president of the Football Association of Malaysia.

Norizan, a former teacher, said Malaysia should not hide from Asia's big teams despite the heavy defeats.

''We have nothing to lose against playing these teams,'' he said.

''We must learn from these games.'' REUTERS SSC SSC1346