Latest news with #Muliyadi
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Group win essential as Malaysia eyes Davis Cup redemption
KUALA LUMPUR: The national squad has little margin for error during the group stage of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV competition which starts tomorrow (July 16), says national team head coach Muliyadi Jamal. Muliyadi said his charges must win their group to avoid a potential clash with unseeded favourites, the Philippines, in the promotional playoffs at the National Tennis Centre here. Malaysia, the top seeds, have been drawn alongside Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal in Pool A. Philippines have been drawn in Pool B with second seeds Pacific Oceania, Kuwait and Qatar. "Ideally we would have wanted to have Philippines in the same group as us so we don't have to face them in the playoffs," said Muliyadi after the draw today (July 15). "Philippines have a very strong doubles pair who are essentially their 'fixed deposit'. All they have to do is win one of the singles. "I would say our group is the easier of the two and we have to win it to avoid having to face Philippines in the playoffs as it is likely they will win the other group. "I believe Kyrgyzstan is the toughest team in our group as they also have a strong doubles pair. "Having said that, our players are well prepared and are keen to get the competition started." The Philippines' doubles pair of Francis Alcantara-Ruben Gonzales won gold at the Phnom Penh Sea Games in 2023. Gonzales has been ranked as high as No. 116 in the ATP singles rankings while Alcantara has been ranked as high as No. 162 in the doubles. The Philippines tennis federation was suspended by the ITF in late 2020 due to governance issues. The suspension was lifted in January last year which is why they are currently making their way back up from the lower divisions in both men's and women's tennis. Muliyadi has opted to register Koay Hao Sheng, Leroy Yong, Darrshan Kumar, Daniel Prickett and Naufal Kamaruzzaman in his final squad for the competition. Malaysia is on a mission for redemption after being relegated for the first time from Group III last year. The squad will open their campaign against Nepal tomorrow (July 16). Order of play July 16 (all ties start 10am) Pool A: Malaysia vs Nepal, Kyrgyzstan vs Iraq
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Adam Jaya back as Davis Cup captain
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national tennis player Adam Jaya has been appointed as Davis Cup team captain for Malaysia. The national squad will be competing in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group IV competition at National Tennis Centre (NTC) here on July 16-19. Despite earlier plans to appoint Koay Hao Sheng as playing captain, national head coach Muliyadi Jamal said the vastly experienced Adam was called in to help the squad. "Yes we did initially plan to have Hao Sheng as playing captain, however, we do not want to burden him as he is also our key player," said Muliyadi during a press conference at NTC today (July 12). "We need him to remain focused on playing as he will likely be fielded in singles and doubles. "This is why, after discussion with the Tennis Malaysia (TM) committee, we have decided to bring in Adam. "He is very experienced and has captained both our Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup sides at least seven or eight times now. We need his services." Malaysia, relegated from Group III for the first time in history last year, are top seeds. Pacific Oceania have been seeded second while the other teams in the competition are Iraq, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Qatar and the Philippines. The countries will be split into two groups. The draw will be held on Tuesday (July 15). "Although we are the top seeds, I believe Philippines will be the favourites," said Muliyadi. "As they are unseeded, they can be placed into any group. It would actually benefit us if they are drawn in the same group as us. "This way we will not have to face them in the promotional playoffs." The Philippines tennis federation was suspended by the ITF in late 2020 due to governance issues. The suspension was lifted in January last year which is why they are currently making their way back up from the lower divisions in both men's and women's tennis. The top-two teams from each group will qualify for the promotional playoffs - essentially the semi-finals. The last two teams standing will be promoted to Group III. Muliyadi is hoping his players will rise to the occasion. "This is the first time Malaysia is playing in Group IV and I have told the players that we have to make it back to Group III. That is imperative," said Muliyadi. "When we were relegated last year, we saw the impact it brought. The association and the players were badly criticised by the public. "We have home ground advantage and hopefully that will boost our players to go for promotion." Besides Hao Sheng, Leroy Yong, Darrshan Kumar, Daniel Prickett, Naufal Kamaruzzaman and Devesh Sarawanan have been shortlisted for the squad. Muliyadi will announce the final five-man squad on Tuesday.
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Reaching Billie Jean King Cup final 'not impossible' says coach
KUALA LUMPUR: Muliyadi Jamal is hoping his charges can pull off a surprise run to the final at the Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Asia-Oceania Group II competition which starts at the National Tennis Centre here tomorrow (June 16). The national team head coach has named Joleen Saw, Elsa Wan Abdul Rahman, Hannah Yip, Iman Syuhada Abdullah and Lim Zan Ning in the BJKC squad, captained by Koay Hao Sheng. Malaysia, seeded fourth in the competition, has received a relatively favourable draw having been placed together with top-seeds Mongolia, Singapore, Kyrgyzstan and Northern Mariana Island in Group A. Group B features second seeds Indonesia, Pacific Oceania, Uzbekistan, Iran and the Philippines. The top-two teams (finalists) will earn promotion to Group I next year. Muliyadi is expecting his players to at least equal their top-three finish from last year - Malaysia's best ever performance in the history of the competition - but is quietly confident of exceeding that. "Our first mission is to reach the semi-finals which is an achievable goal," said Muliyadi when met at the pre-tournament presser here today (June 15). "But of course, we are hoping to go further than that. Playing on home ground, it is possible we can spring a few surprises. "We beat Uzbekistan here last year and nobody expected that so it is not impossible we could reach the final. "In our group (A), Mongolia will obviously be the toughest team but besides that I believe it is a pretty open competition. "Group B is actually much tougher, Pacific Oceania have just come down from Group I while Uzbekistan and Indonesia have always been strong. "I, however, believe the Philippines will be dangerous, even though they have not brought Alex Eala with them." Muliyadi is expecting to field Joleen and Elsa in the first and second singles slots. "Elsa will likely play in the doubles as well with Hannah but that will depend on the condition of the players on the day," added Muliyadi. "We can make changes to the line-up on the day itself." Malaysia will open its campaign against Kyrgyzstan tomorrow. Malaysia defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in the group stage last year. Kyrgyzstan playing captain Vladislava Andreevskaya is expecting a challenging encounter. "Our (usual) captain is not with us so I will be the playing captain which is a huge responsibility for me. Hopefully things will go our way this year," said Vladislava. "We will be playing the home country Malaysia tomorrow which will be difficult. We played you guys here last year and it was tough." Order of play (all ties start 10am)
