Latest news with #GoldenStarWarriors
New Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Bitten Vietnam to do the same as Harimau?
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya have changed their stripes, so can the Golden Star Warriors? It is learnt that Vietnam could fight fire with fire against Malaysia by strengthening their national team with naturalised players. Coach Kim Sang Sik and the Vietnamese FA are said to be looking into getting more naturalised players. The Southeast Asian powerhouse currently have several naturalised players in their ranks with Dang Van Lam, Filip Nguyen, Jason Quang Vinh and Nguyen Xuan Son. But that may be deemed not enough and Vietnam could be adding more, just like Malaysia. Football critic Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim, who did his Pro A licence in Vietnam and has friends in the Vietnam football system, said: "We talk often and it looks like Vietnam are looking to follow Malaysia and Indonesia's method to get heritage players from aboard. "After playing against Malaysia's A-grade heritage players, Vietnam are impressed by the instant impact, and they are looking to do the same." Malaysia, with the help of seven heritage players, shocked Vietnam 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier at Bukit Jalil last week. But Vietnam may be prompted to recruit more naturalised players for the return leg in Hanoi in March next year to improve their chances of beating Malaysia. "This is normal in football where people will try to imitate and apply it to their own team. The key is we need to be ready for it. "We beat Vietnam with our element of surprise with the players' quality. They might do the same in the return tie. "The Malaysia-Vietnam match is only next year, there's plenty of time for them to improve and we need to be ready for it."
The Star
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cklamovski fires up team to work harder after beating Vietnam for first time in 11 years
Going all out: Malaysia's Rodrigo Holgado heading the ball during their match against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: Results don't come without action, and national football team head coach Peter Cklamovski knows work is never done if they are to keep Malaysia's Asian Cup dreams alive. Harimau Malaya delivered a powerful performance against Vietnam on home turf in their 2027 Asian Cup third round qualifiers, thrashing their opponents 4-0 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. Cklamovski hailed his players' performance in front of 61,512 fans, as Malaysia got past their first tough fixture in the group against Vietnam to keep their Asian Cup dreams burning strong. 'Dream for it, because we've got that dream, without a doubt. We see the commitment the players have for that dream. 'We don't just think about it, but we have to do it by action, every day. And the performance the players put in is a reflection of what I see every day. 'I see a committed group of players hungry to build a team mentality that will make Malaysians proud. I'm very proud of the players,' he said. Cklamovski was quick to field fresh legs in the squad, giving playing minutes to newly arrived heritage players Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, and Imanol Machuca. And they were quick to deliver. Figueiredo was first to break the deadlock in the 49th minute, followed by Holgado in the 58th. Seasoned heritage players La'vere Corbin-Ong and Dion Cools sealed the win in the 66th and 88th minutes, respectively. Malaysia also ended their 11-year winless streak against Vietnam as their last victory over the Golden Star Warriors was at the 2014 AFF Cup, when Harimau Malaya won 5-4 in the semi-final. Cklamovski was thrilled with his team, as they now sit top of Group F, three points clear of Vietnam in second, while Laos are in third with one win and Nepal remain without a point. 'I thought the first half was good, we probably could have gotten in front but it was important that we stayed focused in the second half. 'We stayed disciplined and worked hard as a team. That's important because we don't just rely on one player but 11, regardless of who is out there,' he said. Although the dream to qualify for Saudi Arabia stays alive, Cklamovski reminded the team that the win against Vietnam is just a small step in their long journey. 'We can dream, but we have to recover, analyse the game, and then get on to the next one. 'We just got three points from the game, that's all. We've got more work to do and more steps to take,' he said. Harimau Malaya will play their next qualifier match against Laos on Oct 9.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
As Harimau roar, the rest of Asia better pay attention
WHEN a tiger tears apart a Golden Star, it's a sign Malaysian football is roaring back to life. Peter Cklamovski made an emphatic statement in just his third official game in charge, as a revamped Harimau Malaya thrashed regional powerhouse Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 60,000 roaring fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. It wasn't just a win, it was a warning. A bold declaration that Malaysia are back in business. Not since 2014 had Malaysia beaten Vietnam, and never in such brutal fashion. The Golden Star Warriors, reigning Asean Cup champions and long-time regional giants, were left shell-shocked. With this result, Malaysia are virtually assured of a place at the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. But more than qualification, this felt like the start of something special. There was plenty of scepticism in the lead-up. Questions swirled around the late inclusion of a clutch of newly cleared heritage players, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces, and second-half substitute Imanol Machuca, all receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off. But on the pitch, there was no sign of hesitation. No sign of rust. No sign they'd just arrived. They played like they belonged. Figueiredo and Holgado didn't just score, they celebrated like born-and-bred Malaysians, pumping fists and pointing to the badge. Their passion was matched by their quality. At the back, Garces and Irazabal brought much-needed steel and composure, forming a wall Vietnam couldn't breach. Machuca, when introduced, added flair and pace. The foreign-born contingent didn't just boost the squad, they transformed it. Yet despite the debutants grabbing headlines, it was Arif Aiman Hanapi who shone brightest. The Johor Darul Ta'zim winger, far from being overshadowed, was the best player on the pitch. He tore through the Vietnamese defence, created two goals with electric pace and precision, and reminded everyone that local talent can still set the standard. This was no fluke. Malaysia were aggressive, structured and ruthless. The Tigers didn't just outplay Vietnam, they dominated them. From the first whistle, they looked hungrier, sharper and far more organised. Vietnam, usually composed and compact, were reduced to chasing shadows. Malaysia made them look like minnows. And the scary part? Harimau Malaya are only just getting started. If Cklamovski keeps this group fit and firing, more teams will fall. The energy, belief and tactical discipline were all there, and the squad depth has never looked better. But the Australian tactician should keep his focus tight. His job is to build the team and unify the camp. That includes making friends, not enemies with all stakeholders, including the media. He's here to evolve Malaysian football, and winning allies off the pitch will be just as vital. Why would any Malaysian want him and Harimau Malaya to fail? Tuesday also marked a turning point: nine of Malaysia's starting XI were heritage players. A first for the nation. A reality some old-school fans might struggle with. Gone are the days of the traditional "Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu" line-up. Modern football demands new thinking. National identity isn't diluted by diverse roots. It's defined by shared ambition and passion. The badge matters more than birthplace. If Tuesday proved anything, it's that these players are all-in for Malaysia. Still, there's a caveat. Heritage or naturalised stars offer a quick fix, but the long game lies in the grassroots. Development programmes must not be sidelined. Investment in youth academies, school systems and talent scouting is still the backbone of true progress. Japan offered a masterclass on the same night, fielding an all-local side, not their best squad, to demolish a heritage-laden Indonesia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier. That's the gold standard. That's the long-term vision Malaysia must aim for. But right now? This win matters. This performance matters. It's been a long road of mediocrity and fleeting optimism. This feels different. Cklamovski has brought structure, belief and modern ideas. And the players — whether born in Johor or Rosario — are buying in. Malaysia aren't just back, they're dangerous. And as Vietnam found out the hard way, when a tiger has teeth and purpose, even giants fall. Harimau Malaya roared, and the rest of Asia had better pay attention.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Coach apologises to Vietnam fans after heavy loss
KUALA LUMPUR: A few weeks ago, Kim Sang Sik basked in the glow of a famous victory over Manchester United by his Asean XI at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Last night, he was apologising to the Vietnamese people from the same venue. Sang Sik, whose men were trounced 4-0 by Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier, said in a post-match press conference: "I feel Malaysia are very strong in this group, they are getting stronger and stronger. There are many players from abroad (Malaysia used heritage players), our team suffered from them. "I want to apologise to the Vietnamese fans who watched on television and also to those who came to the stadium. "I think the players and the Vietnam fans were disappointed tonight. I feel very responsible for the result. We lost, but all the players did their best." Sang Sik, a South Korean, said injuries to his key centre-backs Nguyen Thanh Chung and Bui Tien Dung toward the end of the first half changed the course of the match. "In the first half, we did as we had planned but in the second half, we lost Thanh Chung and Tien Dung, two important defenders, and the defensive structure broke down." Despite the heavy defeat, Sang Sik said the return tie against Malaysia in Hanoi on March 31, next year, could see a spectacular comeback from his team, one which may decide the Group F winners. "Nobody knows how football goes. We could miraculously win four or five nil in Hanoi. Nobody knows. I have to prepare for the match in Hanoi," he said. The loss leaves Vietnam second in Group F with three points. The Golden Star Warriors are expected to beat Nepal (on Oct 9 and Oct 14) and Laos (Nov 18) before facing Malaysia again.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Social media erupts as Malaysia serve Vietnam a footballing masterclass
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya fans lit up social media with messages of pride and celebration after Malaysia hammered Vietnam 4-0 in their Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. The national side featuring several new naturalised players ended an 11-year winless run against the Golden Star Warriors in front of a raucous 61,512-strong crowd. Coach Peter Cklamovski handed debuts to Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, and Facundo Garcés, while Imanol Machuca was named on the bench. Malaysia fielded nine heritage players, including mainstays Dion Cools, Corbin Ong, Matthew Davies, Hector Hevel and Nooa Laine. The two home-grown talents in the starting line-up were Arif Aiman Hanapi and goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi. Figueiredo broke the deadlock in the 49th minute before Holgado (59th), Corbin Ong (67th), and Cools (88th) completed the rout. Fans were quick to hail the emphatic victory. One supporter posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Bukit Jalil was electric and Malaysia delivered. Four goals. Four different scorers. Zero mercy. They didn't roar, they devoured. 2027 Asian Cup, we're coming in style." Another wrote: "Regret not making it to the Malaysia vs Vietnam game. Saw it on TV. A very different Malaysia - pure class from the players and coaches. We're going to roar." A third added: "The team played with heart and beautiful football. Well done, boys." The result puts Malaysia top of Group F and firmly in the driving seat to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Cklamovski's men will next face Laos in October.
