'For me, it's feeling of surprise, appreciation' - Kim Swee

Datuk Ong Kim Swee is prepared to shoulder his new duties to guide the national Under-22 squad after Football Association of Malaysia's (FAM) new president announced the decision today.

Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim guilelessly appointed former Johor Darul Ta'zim coach Mario Gomez as the new Harimau Malaysia coach.

Kim Swee said he accepted the decision with mixed feelings of surprise and being appreciated because his services were still needed.

"I am still entrusted by the new president and this mandate means a lot to me and there is much that I need to do with the national young squad.

"I hope I can meet with the president soon to draw up plans to face the Under-22 Asia Cup qualification and the SEA Games in August," he told reporters after the FAM Congress today.

The Melaka-born coach was also of the opinion that he would not face any problem to guide the Under-22 squad as he was already experienced on the matter.

"This is the fourth time I will be with the SEA Games team, thus giving me a lot of experience and advantage.

"The approximately five-month period before the SEA Games is not long, but the national Under-22 squad has already started training since early this year and it will be a bit of an advantage," he said.

For the record, Kim Swee has coached the team which won the gold medal at the 2011 SEA Games in Jakarta, Indonesia when they beat the host team 4-3 via penalty kicks after they drew 1-1.

-- BERNAMA