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Free Malaysia Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Harimau Malaya drawn with Iran in Cafa Nations Cup
Harimau Malaya are currently ranked 131st in the Fifa world rankings. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysia have been drawn in Group B alongside world No 18 Iran for next month's Central Asian Football Association (Cafa) Nations Cup 2025. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) said that Harimau Malaya, ranked 131st in the world, will also face hosts Tajikistan (ranked 104th in the world) and Afghanistan (160th). Malaysia will open their campaign against Tajikistan on Aug 29, followed by Iran on Sept 1 and Afghanistan on Sept 4, with all three matches taking place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Group A will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, featuring four other teams — hosts Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Oman. Only the winner of each group will qualify for the final in Tashkent on Sept 8, while the runners-up will play for third place in Dushanbe on the same date. After the tournament, Malaysia will continue their remaining 2027 Asian Cup Group F qualifiers against Laos in Vientiane on Oct 9 and Kuala Lumpur on Oct 14, before meeting Nepal in Kathmandu on Nov 18 and Vietnam away in March next year.
Free Malaysia Today
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Extend Harimau Malaya's meritocratic principles to public sector leadership, says Zaid
Nine of Harimau Malaya's starting-11 in their 2027 Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam last night were naturalised players. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has questioned why merit-based policies in Malaysia cannot be applied to public sector leadership following Harimau Malaya's convincing win against Vietnam in a 2027 Asian Cup qualifier last night. A new-look Harimau Malaya eased past reigning Asean Cup champions Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 61,000 fans at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, their first victory against the Golden Star Warriors in 11 years. Nine of the team's starting-11 were naturalised players, with five of them – Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces and Imanol Machuca – receiving Fifa clearance just hours before kick-off. In a Facebook post, Zaid noted that a flexible naturalisation policy and deep pockets have allowed the Football Association of Malaysia to attract world-class players. 'I was astounded to read about the team's win over Vietnam. It was not so long ago that Malaysia was floundering at the bottom of the world rankings. We might soon win the World Cup,' he quipped. 'From the list of our players, I can only recognise two whom I would consider Malaysian. 'This brings me to the question: if we can transform football teams in that fashion, why not transform our political leaders, civil service, and GLC heads by enticing world-class expertise to prop up the country? 'Why are we so against merit-based policy in other, more critical fields? Why are they only limited to football?' The result solidifies Malaysia's spot at the top of the four-team Group F with three wins from as many matches. Harimau Malaya, who have yet to concede a goal in their qualifying campaign, will face Laos in their next match on Oct 9. Only the group winner will secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from Jan 7 to Feb 5, 2027. FAM's policy of naturalising foreign players for the national team came under scrutiny from former national players last year, who argued that the national football body should focus on developing local talent rather than relying on foreign-born players.
Malay Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
From La Liga to Harimau Malaya: Argentina's Facundo Garcés joins national squad
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Deportivo Alavés centre-back Facundo Garcés was yesterday announced as the latest addition to the national football squad under head coach Peter Cklamovski. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), in a statement, said the 25-year-old player is expected to bring quality, experience and strong leadership to a team working to strengthen itself and become the squad that Malaysians aspire to see. 'Having played in Argentina's top-tier league and recently completed a season with Deportivo Alavés in La Liga, Garcés has fulfilled all registration and eligibility requirements, and is now available for selection by Cklamovski. 'He is a player of great character, a composed defender, and one who brings strong personality and vast experience. He is extremely passionate about representing Malaysia and making the country proud,' the statement said. Garcés also expressed his excitement at representing Malaysia. 'Being part of this national team is an incredible honour. Since arriving, I've felt the warmth, sense of family and genuine support from everyone. 'If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine how amazing it will be when the whole country and its fans stand behind us. I'm ready to give my all for Malaysia,' he said. According to the statement, Garcés has joined the national team's training camp during the current Fifa window and will be eligible for selection in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. — Bernama
Malay Mail
31-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Asean Cup 2025: Malaysia U-23 drawn in Group A alongside Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — The Harimau Malaya Under-23 (U-23) squad, coached by Nafuzi Zain, have been drawn into Group A alongside hosts Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei for the Asean U-23 Mandiri Cup 2025, scheduled to take place from July 15 to 29 in Jakarta. According to a statement from the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) today, Malaysia will kick off their campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by a match against Brunei on July 18, before concluding the group stage with a clash against Indonesia on July 21. All Group A matches are set to be played at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals scheduled for July 25, while the third-place playoff and final will take place on July 29. — Bernama
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Former national footballer T. Gopinath Naidu dies at 50, remembered as ‘Kuala Lumpur Wonder Boy'
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Former national footballer T. Gopinath Naidu, who was part of Malaysia's football scene in the 1990s, died yesterday at the age of 50. The sad news was shared by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) through a post on its official Facebook page. 'Condolences. FAM extends its deepest sympathies to the family of the late T. Gopinath Naidu. He was a member of the national squad in the 1990s and had also played for Kuala Lumpur (1992-1994) and Perak (1996),' the post read. Fondly known as the 'Kuala Lumpur Wonder Boy', Gopinath played a key role in helping 'The City Boys' secure back-to-back FA Cup titles in 1993 and 1994. His outstanding performance earned him opportunities to train and play internationally, including with English club Aston Villa and German side Bayern Leverkusen. However, recurring knee injuries forced him into early retirement at the age of 25 in 1999. During his time with the national team, Gopinath represented Malaysia at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan, and the qualifying rounds for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. — Bernama
