logo
Malaysia no longer pushovers, says pundit Richard Scully ahead of CAFA Nations Cup clash with Iran

Malaysia no longer pushovers, says pundit Richard Scully ahead of CAFA Nations Cup clash with Iran

Malay Maila day ago
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 — Local football observer Datuk Richard Scully says Malaysia may have been drawn in Group B alongside world No. 18 Iran for the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025 next month, but the Harimau Malaya are no pushovers.
He said any opponent would be wise not to underestimate them, as he believes the national squad has undergone a major transformation and is now in the right shape to take on stronger sides.
He said Malaysia's recent resurgence has not gone unnoticed, with opponents beginning to take notice, a clear sign that the team is no longer being seen as underdogs.
'It's too early to predict anything, but what's clear is that teams are starting to pay close attention to Malaysia. The Malaysia of old is not the same as the Malaysia of today.
'Now, any team facing us will be on alert. I don't expect there to be big scorelines from either side,' he told Bernama.
Scully has urged the Harimau Malaya to step onto the pitch without being weighed down by world rankings, insisting that 'numbers are just numbers' and anything can happen once the whistle blows.
He stressed that while a win would be a welcome bonus, a loss should not be seen as a disaster, but rather a chance to identify and address weaknesses ahead of bigger battles to come.
Apart from facing heavyweights Iran, Malaysia (ranked 131st) will also take on hosts Tajikistan (104th) and Afghanistan (160th) in Group B of the CAFA Nations Cup.
Malaysia will kick off their campaign against Tajikistan on Aug 29, followed by clashes with Iran on Sept 1 and Afghanistan on Sept 4. All matches will be played in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
After the tournament, Malaysia will resume their remaining Group F fixtures in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, starting with matches against Laos in Vientiane on Oct 9 and in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14. They will then face Nepal in Kathmandu on Nov 18, before taking on Vietnam away in March next year.
Meanwhile, sports analyst Datuk Dr Pekan Ramli cautioned that three straight defeats in the group stage could shake fan confidence in the new-look Harimau Malaya, especially among those still unconvinced by the inclusion of heritage players.
'At the very least, we need to reach the semi-finals for fans to continue feeling proud of this Harimau Malaya side.
'If we suffer heavy losses or crash out early, expectations will dip and it'll give critics of the heritage player concept the opening they've been waiting for to lash out,' he said.
He also urged for the consistent inclusion of heritage players throughout the tournament, believing their presence is key to strengthening what he described as one of Malaysia's strongest squads in recent memory. — Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

JDT retains status as Malaysia's most valuable football team
JDT retains status as Malaysia's most valuable football team

Sinar Daily

time35 minutes ago

  • Sinar Daily

JDT retains status as Malaysia's most valuable football team

This high valuation is attributed to the addition of three heritage players and several quality foreign imports, bringing head coach Xisco Muñoz's squad to 39 players in total. Jairo Da Silva (centre) is currently the second most valuable player in the JDT squad with a market value of RM4.4 million. – Photo: Johor Southern Tigers SHAH ALAM - Super League giants Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have further cemented their status as Malaysia's most valuable football club, with the Southern Tigers now valued at €14.08 million (RM71.8 million), according to the latest figures from football market analysis site Transfermarkt. This high valuation was attributed to the addition of three heritage players and several quality foreign imports, bringing head coach Xisco Muñoz's squad to 39 players in total. The most valuable player in the current JDT lineup was new Harimau Malaya heritage striker Joao Figueiredo, who was valued at €2 million (RM9.96 million) following his confirmed signing with the club. The most valuable player in the current JDT squad is the new Harimau Malaya heritage striker, Joao Figueiredo (left), who is valued at €2 million (RM9.96 million). – Photo: Johor Southern Tigers Brazilian striker Jairo Da Silva ranked second at €900,000 (RM4.4 million), followed by fellow heritage player Jon Irazabal at €600,000 (RM3 million). Hector Hevel, who joined from Portuguese club Portimonense, was estimated to be worth €400,000 (RM2 million). Meanwhile, the most valuable local player in the squad remained JDT's standout star Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, a four-time Most Valuable Player at the National Football Awards, with a market value of €650,000 (RM3.2 million). So far, JDT has signed eight new players for the 2025/2026 season: Irazabal, Hevel, Figueiredo, Jairo, Antonio Glauder, Ibrahim Manusi, Moussa Sidibe and Jonathan Silva, with the combined value of these new signings amounting to approximately RM28 million. This aggressive recruitment strategy involving top-tier heritage and foreign players is part of JDT's serious preparations for next season's Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE), the Asean Club Championship (ACC) and domestic competitions in the Malaysian League. The club also released 11 players at the end of last season, including Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Gonzalez, Jordi Amat, Murilo Henrique, Jonathan Viera, Roque Mesa and Anselmo de Moraes, as well as local players Safiq Rahim, Farizal Marlias, Izham Tarmizi and Ramadhan Saifullah, whose contracts were not renewed. Despite these reinforcements, JDT's current market value has dipped slightly from last season's figure of €17.2 million (RM85.62 million), when the club had bolstered its squad for the ACLE group stage. However, the club's valuation was expected to rise again should JDT continue its pursuit of high-calibre signings in line with its ambitious goal of qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup in the future. Next season is set to be one of JDT's most challenging yet, with the club competing in three major tournaments namely the Malaysian League, ACC and ACLE. More Like This

BAM's contract talks with Pearly, Thinaah positive, says Kenny
BAM's contract talks with Pearly, Thinaah positive, says Kenny

Sinar Daily

time35 minutes ago

  • Sinar Daily

BAM's contract talks with Pearly, Thinaah positive, says Kenny

Last week, BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that Pearly-Thinaah's status with BAM would only be finalised before the Japan Open on July 15. 08 Jul 2025 02:10pm Despite the uncertainty surrounding their future with BAM, Pearly and Thinaah have continued to perform well, capturing the Thailand Open title last month and finishing runners-up in the recent Indonesia Open. Bernama FILE PIX KUALA LUMPUR - Will national number one women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah remain with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM)? There is now a higher probability that the world number three will stay with the national governing body, following confirmation from BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh that discussions with the pair have been positive. "The (joint) discussions (with Pearly-Thinaah) were very positive and we want the best for them,' he told reporters after the training session here today. Last week, BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said that Pearly-Thinaah's status with BAM would only be finalised before the Japan Open on July 15. The media had previously reported that the pair had yet to sign a new contract with BAM after their previous contract expired in December last year. Malaysian badminton pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah put on a great show against Indonesia's Rahayu Apriyani and Ramadhanti Siti Fadia Silvia at the Paris 2024 Olympics, held at the Arena Porte De La Chapelle recently. Bernama FILE PIX Despite the uncertainty surrounding their future with BAM, Pearly-Thinaah have continued to deliver the goods, capturing the Thailand Open title in May by downing South Korea's Jeong Na Eun-Lee Yeon Woo 21-16, 21-17. Regarding his appointment as deputy chef de mission (CDM) to the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, Kenny hopes it will give added value to the national contingent throughout the Dec 9-20 biennial Games, which will be held in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla. "This is an honour for me, but at the same time, a humbling experience. If we look at the list of appointees, they are all sports legends, except me, as I am just a sports administrator,' he said. Yesterday, the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) announced that national swimming legend Nurul Huda Abdullah had been appointed as CDM to the 2025 SEA Games. Fifty-two-year-old Nurul Huda, who was recently elected OCM vice-president, will be assisted by Kenny, former sprint ace Nazmizan Muhammad and former hockey player Jivan Mohan. - BERNAMA

Pearly Tan and Thinaah likely to stay with BAM, says Kenny Goh
Pearly Tan and Thinaah likely to stay with BAM, says Kenny Goh

The Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Sun

Pearly Tan and Thinaah likely to stay with BAM, says Kenny Goh

THE future of national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) appears promising, as discussions over their contract renewal have progressed positively. BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh expressed optimism about retaining the world number three duo, stating, 'The discussions were very positive, and we want the best for them.' The pair's status with BAM is expected to be finalised before the Japan Open on July 15, as confirmed by BAM president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz last week. Their previous contract expired in December last year, but despite the uncertainty, Pearly and Thinaah have maintained strong performances, including their Thailand Open victory in May. Kenny Goh also commented on his recent appointment as deputy chef de mission (CDM) for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. He acknowledged the honour while recognising the prestige of his fellow appointees, including national swimming legend Nurul Huda Abdullah, who will serve as CDM. 'This is an honour for me, but at the same time, a humbling experience,' he said. - Bernama The 2025 SEA Games will take place from December 9 to 20 in Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store