Malayan Tigress Get Touch Of Brazilian Coach, Soleen Appointed Technical Director
PETALING JAYA, May 14 (Bernama) -- The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today appointed Joel Cornelli, an experienced coach from Brazil, as the head coach of the national women's football squad.
In an announcement, FAM Women's Football Committee chairman Datuk Suraya Yaacob, said Cornelli, who will officially begin his duties at the end of this month, to replace Soleen Al-Zoubi who is currently the FAM Women's Football technical director.
Cornelli, who has more than two decades of experience in the coaching, is honoured to be entrusted with leading the Malayan Tigress squad, especially for the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifier in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from June 23 to July 5.
bootstrap slideshow
"I believe our team has the potential and I see some players have huge quality. We have one month and a half (2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifier), so I will try to do my best to organise the team," he said at his first press conference here, today.
Among his achievements while coaching abroad before were guiding Indonesian club Arema FC to win the 2024 President's Cup in addition to helping Jordanian women's football club Etihad Club win the 2023 Jordan Women's Pro League and the 2023 Saudi Arabia Champions Cup.
Meanwhile, Suraya described the appointment of the 58-year-old coach as important to further strengthen the Malayan Tigress to compete on the international stage.
"We very much welcome Joel's presence into the Malaysian women's football family and I believe he can bring a fresh and new approach to the national women's football squad, especially ahead of the Group H action of the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in June.
"He will start working with the players at the Malayan Tigress central training camp which is scheduled to begin at the end of May. With the full support of the coaching staff and FAM, I believe the national women's football squad will be able to create a surprise in Tajikistan," she said.
Suraya also set an initial target for Cornelli to compete strongly in the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifying campaign and try to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, this December.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
6 hours ago
- Barnama
Qatar To Host 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup Finals For Second Consecutive Year
ZURICH, June 28 (Bernama-QNA) -- FIFA announced on Friday that Qatar will host the final three matches of the 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup next December, for the second consecutive year. Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported that FIFA said in a statement that the tournament is scheduled to kick off on September 14 when Egypt's Pyramids FC (CAF Champions League winners) host New Zealand's Auckland City FC (Oceania champions). The winner will face Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli SC in the second match of the tournament on September 23 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, with the winner advancing to the final stage, which will be held in Qatar. bootstrap slideshow FIFA indicated that the three final matches to be hosted by Qatar will begin on December 10 with the Copa Americas match between Mexico's Cruz Azul (CONCACAF champions) and the South American champions, whose identity will be determined later. The second match, scheduled for December 13 for the Challenge Cup, will be between the winner of the Americas Cup match and the winner of the match between Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia and the winner of the match between Pyramids FC and Auckland City. This match will be the semi-final of the tournament. The competition will conclude with the Confederations Cup final on December 17, when Paris Saint-Germain (the European champions) will face the winner of the semi-final match. Qatar hosted the three final matches of the last edition of the 2024 FIFA Confederations Cup, under its new format. Real Madrid won the title after defeating Pachuca of Mexico 3-0 at Lusail Stadium. -- BERNAMA-QNA
The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
Ex-PFAM boss Safee keeping door open for possible future lead role in FAM
PETALING JAYA: Former international Safee Sali has his eyes set on leading Malaysian football from the top – by becoming the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) president one day. The former national striker officially stepped down as president of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia (PFAM) yesterday, ending a near seven-year tenure marked by strong advocacy for player welfare. For now, the 41-year-old Safee will shift his focus to his broadcasting career – but made it clear that his passion for football development is far from over. Having served as PFAM president since 2019, Safee's third term tenure was supposed to end in January 2026, but he has had a change of heart. Ready to go: Safee Sali officially stepped down as president of the Professional Footballers Association of Malaysia yesterday. 'It was not an easy decision, I believe it is time for me to step aside and allow the younger generation to take the lead,' he said in a heartfelt statement. 'I love this game, but I have to let go, for now.' Safee disclosed that his perspective shifted after a recent trip to Japan, where he observed their national body being led by former national players, young, energetic, and deeply connected to the modern game. The Japan Football Association are currently led by former international footballer Tsuneyasu Miyamoto. 'When I saw how the FA in Japan are led by former national players, it really resonated with me,' said Safee. 'Maybe it's time for me to write another chapter. Maybe even consider the presidency of FAM one day. 'Only footballers truly understand what it takes to run this sport. 'I've left the door open for a possible leadership role in FAM as my unique blend of on-field experience and off-field administration can come in handy. 'It's not impossible. If I ever get the chance to do something bigger for football, I'll be ready. 'I believe I can bring value. I've been through everything, both as a player and a leader. I'm looking forward to what's next.' Safee said he has spoken with PFAM chief executive officer Izham Ismail and proposed that the current deputy president Razman Roslan take over on an interim basis until new elections are held at the end of the year. 'I want to give space for new faces, players who are passionate and serious about shaping this body,' he said. 'It's a great opportunity for the younger generation to learn about their rights and how to manage a professional football organisation.' Under Safee's leadership, PFAM grew in visibility and influence, championing players welfare, raising awareness on contractual rights, and strengthening the voice of footballers across Malaysia. Though stepping down, Safee made it clear he was not stepping away from the game entirely. Now more involved in broadcasting and commercial ventures, he remains active in the football industry. 'I'm really focused on the commercial side now and enjoying broadcasting work. But my passion for the game hasn't faded. 'I want to bring my experience, from playing to management, and use it to contribute more meaningfully to Malaysian football in the future.'
Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
Nova Wants Mixed Pairs To End Title Drought Before World Meet
KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 (Bernama) -- The impressive achievements of the national men's and women's doubles pairs should spur the mixed doubles camp to clinch their first title this year, said national mixed doubles head coach Nova Widianto. He hopes the mixed doubles pairs can win at least one title before the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Paris from Aug 25 to 31. 'Men's and women's doubles are doing well … Only the mixed doubles (national squad) have yet to win a title this year. bootstrap slideshow 'Hopefully, we can get the best results and emerge victorious in at least one tournament, either the Japan Open or China Open,' he told reporters after a training session here today. The Japan Open is scheduled to take place from July 15 to 20 in Tokyo, while the China Open will run from July 22 to 27 in Changzhou. Former world men's doubles champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have already secured three titles this season, beginning with the Badminton Asia Championships in April, followed by victories at the Thailand Open and Singapore Open last month. Their compatriots Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also clinched two titles this year — the Indonesia Masters in January and the Malaysia Masters last month. Top national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah won the Thailand Open and finished runners-up twice — at the Indonesia Masters and the Indonesia Open earlier this month. Nova expressed satisfaction with the positive development shown by top national mixed pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, particularly in terms of communication, since being reunited in April.
