Latest news with #CAFACup
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Dion makes a statement on and off pitch with his own jersey design
Celebration of legacy: Dion Cools in action in his adidas kit which has patterns inspired by his birthplace Sarawak. PETALING JAYA: Whether donning the national colours of Malaysia, the pink of Cerezo Osaka kit, or now his very own adidas kit – Dion Cools' mission remains unchanged and that is to represent with pride and inspire through performance. Yesterday, the rightback became the first Malaysian and South-East Asian footballer to launch his own limited-edition jersey in collaboration with global sportswear giant adidas. The unveiling at the adidas outlet in Sunway Pyramid was not just a fashion moment but it was a celebration of legacy. 'Football has given me an incredible platform to represent where I come from and what I stand for,' said Cools, who was born in Kuching before moving to Belgium, where his football journey took flight. 'This jersey is special to me because it includes patterns inspired by my birthplace, Sarawak. It's a proud moment.' The No. 21, emblazoned on the back, adds a personal touch, Cools' preferred number since his early professional days in Europe. Cools currently plays in Japan's top-tier J1 League with Cerezo Osaka and continues to be a key figure for Harimau Malaya on the international stage. Eligible to represent both countries, he chose the Malaysian badge and has been a regular fixture in the Malaysian national setup since 2021. Meanwhile, Cools has left it up to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and team management to decide on Harimau Malaya's involvement in any friendly matches this September. He said the national squad still had room to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for in October. This follows Harimau Malaya's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup in Tajikistan from Aug 29-Sept 8. 'I think it's bad news (withdrawing from the 2025 CAFA Cup), but at the same time the management have done its best. We have work to do for the Asian Cup qualifiers, and I think that's the most important thing for us. Previously, FAM had announced that Harimau Malaya's withdrawal was due to a change in match dates, with fixtures now starting outside the official international window set by FIFA, making it challenging for the national team, as clubs are not obliged to release their players.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
FAM to decide friendlies after CAFA Cup withdrawal
NATIONAL football squad defender Dion Cools has deferred the decision on Harimau Malaya's potential friendly matches in September to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and team management. He emphasised that the team still has ample time to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for October and November. This comes after Malaysia's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025, set to take place in Tajikistan from Aug 29 to Sept 8. 'I think it's bad news (withdrawing from the 2025 CAFA Cup), but at the same time the management has done its best. We have work to do for the Asian Cup qualifiers, and I think that's the most important thing for us,' Cools said. He added, 'September is the best time for us to prepare for October (the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos) because we want to go to Saudi Arabia (the 2027 Asian Cup finals) and I think the management will make the right decision, and we have to trust that they will make the right decision. I don't want to panic about it, just stay with the team.' Cools made these remarks during the launch of a special edition jersey in collaboration with an international sportswear brand. FAM had earlier cited the rescheduling of CAFA Cup matches outside FIFA's international window as the reason for Malaysia's withdrawal, as clubs are not obligated to release players during non-FIFA dates. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
FAM To Determine Friendlies After CAFA Cup Withdrawal
PETALING JAYA, July 22 (Bernama) -- National football squad defender Dion Cools has left it up to the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and team management to decide on Harimau Malaya's involvement in any friendly matches this September. He said the national squad still had room to prepare for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for October and November. This follows Harimau Malaya's withdrawal from the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup 2025, which will take place in Tajikistan from Aug 29 to Sept 8. bootstrap slideshow 'I think it's bad news (withdrawing from the 2025 CAFA Cup), but at the same time the management has done its best. We have work to do for the Asian Cup qualifiers, and I think that's the most important thing for us. 'September is the best time for us to prepare for October (the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos) because we want to go to Saudi Arabia (the 2027 Asian Cup finals) and I think the management will make the right decision, and we have to trust that they will make the right decision. I don't want to panic about it, just stay with the team,' he said. He was speaking to reporters at the launch of a special edition jersey created in collaboration with an international sportswear brand here today. Previously, FAM had announced that Harimau Malaya's withdrawal was due to a change in match dates, with fixtures now starting outside the official international window set by FIFA, making it challenging for the national team, as clubs are not obliged to release their players. -- BERNAMA
New Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
M-League to take a break to help Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: The M-League will take a break to enable Malaysia to send their strongest national team to the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup from Aug 26-Sept 9 in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) said that the M-League, scheduled to start on Aug 8, will take a short break during the CAFA Cup, thus allowing the national team to call up the best available players for the tournament. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said: "Since the CAFA Cup takes place just before the Fifa window, we are giving way to the national team. "We know that assembling the national team will involve players from major clubs such as Johor Darul Ta'zim, Selangor and possibly Sabah and KL City. "Priority will be given to the national team, and during that period, there will be no league matches," he said. The CAFA Nations Cup will feature eight teams, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers Iran (world No. 18) and Uzbekistan (No. 57). The other expected participants are Oman (No. 77), Kyrgyzstan (No. 103), Tajikistan (No. 104), Turkmenistan (No. 142), and Afghanistan (No. 160). Shazli stressed that the national team's agenda would not disrupt the M-League, as no fixtures will be postponed to accommodate Harimau Malaya. "There's no issue of postponement as the league calendar is yet to be released. We've taken the national team's request into consideration to ensure it doesn't interfere with league proceedings. "In the past, such requests were made while the league was already ongoing. We're now in constant communication with the national team."
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
MFL to pause M-League for Harimau Malaya's sake
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya are expected to assemble a full-strength squad, comprising the best players from the M-League clubs, for the CAFA Nations Cup on Aug 26-Sept 9. Although the M-League is scheduled to begin on Aug 8, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) has confirmed the league will pause temporarily to allow the national team to field their strongest side for the Central Asian tournament. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said supporting the national team remains a key priority for the league organisers. "As part of managing the league, our priority is also to support the national team," said Shazli. "The CAFA Cup will begin a few days before the FIFA international window opens. "When the national players are assembled, it usually involves key clubs like Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Sabah and KL City. "During that period, the M-League will take a short break." The CAFA Nations Cup has attracted top teams, including world No. 18 Iran and world No. 57 Uzbekistan, who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Also expected to feature are Oman (world No. 77), Kyrgyzstan (No. 103), Tajikistan (No. 104), Turkmenistan (No. 142) and Afghanistan (No. 160). Shazli also assured that the national team's commitments will not disrupt the league calendar, as fixtures will be adjusted in advance to avoid postponements. "There won't be any match delays because the league schedule hasn't been finalised yet," he said. "We've taken the national team's plans into consideration early, so it won't interfere with the league's flow. "In the past, such requests were made after the league had already started. This time, we're in constant communication with the national team and have planned accordingly. "We're also working closely with all clubs to ensure they understand and support this approach," he added.
