Latest news with #Holgado
The Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
It's not only about goal but grit as Malaysia hail Holgado's heroics
On target: Malaysia's Rodrigo Holgado (foreground) vies for the ball with Vietnam's Pham Xuan Manh during the Asian Cup qualifying match. — AP PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya debutant Rodrigo Holgado is a man on a mission, one who wears both his heart and ambitions on his sleeve. After winning over Malaysian fans with a heroic debut in Harimau Malaya colours, the Argentine-born striker wasted no time in turning his focus back to his club duties, proving that his commitment stretches far beyond borders. Without much rest, Holgado hopped on a flight almost immediately after the match to return to Colombia, where his club America de Cali are chasing the league title. The 29-year-old Holgado was the talk of Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night, not just for his goal in Malaysia's commanding 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers, but for the sheer grit he displayed. Bloodied after a head collision with a Vietnam defender, he refused to come off, choosing instead to battle through the pain and cap off his night with a 59th-minute strike that sealed his name in the hearts of Malaysian fans. 'A dream night,' he said on his social media page yesterday. 'Very happy to represent this beautiful country and fulfil this dream in my football career.' The striker was effusive in his gratitude – not just to the fans and coaching staff of Harimau Malaya, but also to his club and their supporters for standing by him during a crucial point in their championship campaign. 'I want to thank everyone who was part of it – my teammates for the welcome, the coaching staff, and all the people of this wonderful country who made me feel so happy from the first minute,' he said. 'To America de Cali and the people above all, for supporting me despite competing at this crucial moment in the championship. 'I promise to continue defending the jersey until the very end, as I always have, and to give my all to achieve that title.' From bleeding on the pitch in Bukit Jalil to flying halfway across the world in pursuit of glory in Colombia, Holgado is proving that passion knows no borders.
The Star
12-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
It's not only about goal but grit as M'sia hail Holgado's heroics
Malaysia's Holgado (C) scores a goal during the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F football match between Malaysia and Vietnam at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on June 10, 2025. - AFP PETALING JAYA: Harimau Malaya debutant Rodrigo Holgado is a man on a mission, one who wears both his heart and ambitions on his sleeve. After winning over Malaysian fans with a heroic debut in Harimau Malaya colours, the Argentine-born striker wasted no time in turning his focus back to his club duties, proving that his commitment stretches far beyond borders. Without much rest, Holgado hopped on a flight almost immediately after the match to return to Colombia, where his club America de Cali are chasing the league title. The 29-year-old Holgado was the talk of Bukit Jalil on Tuesday night, not just for his goal in Malaysia's commanding 4-0 victory over Vietnam in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers, but for the sheer grit he displayed. Bloodied after a head collision with a Vietnam defender, he refused to come off, choosing instead to battle through the pain and cap off his night with a 59th-minute strike that sealed his name in the hearts of Malaysian fans. "A dream night," he said on his social media page yesterday. "Very happy to represent this beautiful country and fulfill this dream in my soccer career." The striker was effusive in his gratitude – not just to the fans and coaching staff of Harimau Malaya, but also to his club and their supporters for standing by him during a crucial point in their championship campaign. "I want to thank everyone who was part of it my teammates for the welcome, the coaching staff, and all the people of this wonderful country who made me feel so happy from the first minute," he said. "To America de Cali and the people above all, for supporting me despite competing at this crucial moment in the championship. "I promise to continue defending the jersey until the very end, as I always have, and to give my all to achieve that title." From bleeding on the pitch in Bukit Jalil to flying halfway across the world in pursuit of glory in Colombia, Holgado is proving that passion knows no borders.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Argentina-born Holgado sheds blood for Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: New heritage player Rodrigo Holgado literally shed blood for Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam yesterday. The Argentina-born striker suffered a bloody cut on the back of his head in Malaysia's spectacular 4-0 triumph over the Red Star Warriors at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. After a clash with a Vietnam player, Holgado had blood stains on his jersey. Holgado also had a memorable debut for Malaysia, scoring a goal against a team deemed as the strongest in Southeast Asia. Blood and a goal, that was Holgado's answer to those critics who have questioned the commitment and quality of heritage players. Holgado said he was pleased with his performance for Malaysia. After having played his part in putting Harimau Malaya on top of Group F (with six points from two matches) and in a strong position to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup, he has to quickly return to his Colombian club, America de Cali.
New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Arif Aiman turns provider for 'heritage teammates'
KUALA LUMPUR: While the spotlight was on new heritage players, the Brazil-born Joao Figueiredo and Argentina-born Rodrigo Holgado, local boy Arif Aiman Hanapi shone just as much in Malaysia's sensational 4-0 victory over Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier last night. The nippy 23-year-old winger became an all important provider — with two assists that led to two of Harimau Malaya's goals. More than 50,000 fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil saw Arif set up the scoring chances for Holgado and the England-born La'Vere Corbin Ong in the second half, with maturity and skill on par with heritage or naturalised players. The energetic Arif was a constant thorn in the side of the Vietnamese defense, as he added another dimension to Malaysia's frontline. Arif's agility created space while his vision and composure in delivering the ball to his teammates make him a key player in Harimau Malaya. While Figueiredo and Holgado have added bite to the Malaysia attack, their dynamic link with Arif proves that the blend of local talent and heritage players can work well in the national team.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Heritage-powered Harimau rip apart Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia showed they meant business in their Asian Cup campaign by thrashing Vietnam 4-0 in a Group F qualifer at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Friday No one was expecting this kind of score, not when Malaysia had not beaten Vietnam in the last 11 years. But world No 109 Vietnam, the so-called powerhouses of Southeast Asia, were ripped apart by world No 132 Malaysia. The Red Star Warriors were sunk by goals from Joao Figueiredo (49th minute), Rodrigo Holgado (59th), La'vere Corbin Ong (67th) and Dion Cools (88th) Malaysia, who beat Nepal 2-0 in their opening match, now top Group F with two wins. The new-look Harimau Malaya, coached by Peter Cklamovski, saw new heritage players - Figueiredo, Holgado, Jon Irazabal and Facundo Garces earning their first cap for Malaysia, while Imanol Machuca was on the bench. Malaysia listed nine heritage players for the match, including Dion Cools, Corbin Ong, Matthew Davies, Hector Hevel and Nooa Laine. The two 'local boys' in the squad were Arif Aiman Hanapi and goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi. Cklamovski's men started the match brightly but Vietnam managed to play a composed game to frustrate the hosts in front of 61,512 supporters. The tide changed for Malaysia in the 38th minute after Vietnam lost their influential defender Nguyen Thanh Chung due to an injury and they started to lose their composure. The floodgates finally broke in the second half as nervy Vietnam could not stem Malaysia's pressure. The Brazil-born Figuerido broke the deadlock from a deflected effort in the 59th minute and it brought confidence to the Malaysia team. Nippy midfielder Arif Aiman provided the assist for Malaysia's second goal for Holgado in the 59th minute and for the third goal by Corbin in the 67th minute.
