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Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
End of Oxford's tour of discovery
Both of Oxford's matches in Indonesia were interrupted – the first by floodlight failure and the second by monsoon rain of epic proportions. The weather in the final against Thai side Port FC undoubtedly contributed to the outcome – Port's winner came during the deluge. Advertisement Had it been Elliott Moore lifting the trophy, not his beaming counterpart, the initial assessment of the trip would, I am sure, be largely positive. Even when results don't really matter, they kind of do. United have done a lot right out here, even making kids in an orphanage smile with a mass kick-about. Those who think footballers are all cynical should have seen this group of players there. They won't forget those children and I applaud their private actions after the visit. If you drew up a list of EFL football managers past and present that you might expect to see being paraded on an imitation lion carried by four men as part of a local custom…Gary Rowett would be a long way down it. He was respectful and didn't refuse when invited to climb aboard at a news conference. He styled it out and by doing so he has gone up in most people's expectations. Advertisement The team will have got over the defeat by Port almost before they had dried out. More minutes in the legs, some game-time for youth team products. Mark Harris will be pleased with his golden boot for being tournament top scorer. Oxford's rise to the Championship – and staying there - has been in no small part because of the funding from Erick Thohir and others in South East Asia. The latest growing pains are maybe being felt by the team and coaching staff more than the supporters. A 7,000-mile trip in pre-season is probably not the absolutely ideal preparation for the new season, but there is a reason big clubs make these trips, even though they're often derided. This was a tour of discovery for those who travelled at relatively short notice to support the team, but it was too for Oxford United itself - a tentative exploration of a potentially massive market, where no particular European team appears to have a stranglehold. But the gap between the richest and poorest is a chasm, and monetarising Oxford's new found popularity will be a challenge in Indonesia. They missed out on £250,000 of prize money when they lost the final, too. Advertisement Will the injuries picked up prove debilitating as the Championship season opens? Has United's reputation been significantly enhanced? Will they be able to tap into this emerging economy? We only know the true value – or cost - of the trip further down the line. United invested a lot in this trip – not financially, the first class travel and accommodation was all laid on - but in terms of energy and emotion. I am sure there will be a fierce internal debate about whether it should 'one and done' for such a tour, or whether it would be folly not to try and learn from - and build on - what has been achieved here this time…. and, as they say in football, 'go again'. You can find part one of Jerome Sale's tour recap below.
BBC News
15-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
End of Oxford's tour of discovery
Both of Oxford's matches in Indonesia were interrupted – the first by floodlight failure and the second by monsoon rain of epic proportions. The weather in the final against Thai side Port FC undoubtedly contributed to the outcome – Port's winner came during the deluge. Had it been Elliott Moore lifting the trophy, not his beaming counterpart, the initial assessment of the trip would, I am sure, be largely positive. Even when results don't really matter, they kind of have done a lot right out here, even making kids in an orphanage smile with a mass kick-about. Those who think footballers are all cynical should have seen this group of players there. They won't forget those children and I applaud their private actions after the visit. If you drew up a list of EFL football managers past and present that you might expect to see being paraded on an imitation lion carried by four men as part of a local custom…Gary Rowett would be a long way down it. He was respectful and didn't refuse when invited to climb aboard at a news conference. He styled it out and by doing so he has gone up in most people's team will have got over the defeat by Port almost before they had dried out. More minutes in the legs, some game-time for youth team products. Mark Harris will be pleased with his golden boot for being tournament top rise to the Championship – and staying there - has been in no small part because of the funding from Erick Thohir and others in South East Asia. The latest growing pains are maybe being felt by the team and coaching staff more than the supporters. A 7,000-mile trip in pre-season is probably not the absolutely ideal preparation for the new season, but there is a reason big clubs make these trips, even though they're often was a tour of discovery for those who travelled at relatively short notice to support the team, but it was too for Oxford United itself - a tentative exploration of a potentially massive market, where no particular European team appears to have a stranglehold. But the gap between the richest and poorest is a chasm, and monetarising Oxford's new found popularity will be a challenge in Indonesia. They missed out on £250,000 of prize money when they lost the final, the injuries picked up prove debilitating as the Championship season opens? Has United's reputation been significantly enhanced? Will they be able to tap into this emerging economy? We only know the true value – or cost - of the trip further down the invested a lot in this trip – not financially, the first class travel and accommodation was all laid on - but in terms of energy and emotion. I am sure there will be a fierce internal debate about whether it should 'one and done' for such a tour, or whether it would be folly not to try and learn from - and build on - what has been achieved here this time…. and, as they say in football, 'go again'.You can find part one of Jerome Sale's tour recap below.
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Bizarre moment EFL manager carried into press conference onboard LION at Indonesian pre-season tour
OXFORD UNITED boss Gary Rowett was carried to a press conference on a LION. The Championship club are on a pre-season tour of Indonesia. 3 3 3 And as is custom in the South East Asian nation at special events or ceremonies demands, they hold a ritual called sisingaan in which they carry a special guest on an effigy of a lion. Rowett was paraded through the streets ahead of Oxford's President's Cup final against Thai team Port FC in Soreang on Sunday. It was after seeing off Arema to top their three-club group to reach the pre-season tournament showpiece. But the Us' tour has been marred by a horror tackle on their Indonesian international Ole Romeny during that 4-0 victory which also saw him score. The Dutch-born star is a huge star in Indonesia and plays for the nation through his paternal grandmother. The heavy challenge meant he had to be carried off on a stretcher. 'We're not out here complaining about challenges. Former Premier League club closing in on return to EFL despite finishing 23 POINTS behind play-off opponents 'It felt a little bit late, but there were quite a lot of late challenges that you're worried it might end up bubbling over a little bit.' Romeny posted a picture of his right foot in a protective boot on his Instagram story, captioning the post: 'Thank you guys for all the messages. 'Unfortunately I will be out for a while, but will do anything to be back as soon as possible. Head high always.'
New Paper
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
Irfan Fandi hopes for career boost after Asean All-Stars call-up to play against Man U
After having to deal with a hip flexor strain and a torn calf muscle this season, Singapore defender Irfan Fandi is happy just to be fit and back on the pitch playing again. Hence, the 27-year-old was taken aback when he received a call from national team manager Eric Ong last week to notify him that he had been selected for the Asean All-Stars who will take on Manchester United at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on May 28. The Arsenal fan told The Sunday Times: "I was quite surprised because I haven't been playing that much this season. So, to know that I'm wanted for the team is nice. "I'm looking forward to it because it will be a good experience and exposure for the players to put ourselves out there against a top European side and show that Asean football is on the rise and we have quality players here." In February, it was reported that the Red Devils will play in Malaysia for the first time in 16 years. The Asean Football Federation (AFF) then announced that Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik will lead an Asean All-Stars side against the 20-time English champions three days after they wrap up their underwhelming Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on May 25. Ruben Amorim's team, who could visit Asia as Europa League champions as they hold a 3-0 first-leg lead against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, will then play in Hong Kong on May 30. Kim, who led Vietnam to the 2024 Asean Championship, said: "To be selected to lead a team composed of the finest players in South-east Asia for a grand match like this is a great honour for me. "We are not only representing our countries, but together we will show the world the pride, spirit and strength of our region." Other than Irfan, the Asean All-Stars will feature a selection of top players from all 12 AFF member associations. These include his Port FC teammates - Indonesia's Asnawi Mangkualam and Thailand's Worachit Kanitsribampen - as well as Malaysia's Dominic Tan, and Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai. The squad are yet to be finalised. Striker-turned-defender Irfan hopes the unexpected call-up will be the start of better things to come following a couple of injury-hit seasons. In the 2023-24 campaign, he played just 19 games in all competitions for BG Pathum due to a leg injury and was released after winning five trophies in five seasons with the club and piquing the interest of South Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2021. In June 2024, he joined Port FC, where he again mustered just 19 matches across the season after having to cope with injuries. On the international front, he has not played for the Lions since a 4-1 away loss to China in March 2024. Irfan, who has 48 caps and two international goals, said: "Injuries are part and parcel of football and while it was tough when I was out, I'm back to 100 per cent now. "I'm quite happy at Port, but hopefully I can do well enough to get a chance to play against the best in the region in the AFC Champions League Elite again. I also hope my injury problems are behind me and I can play regularly for Singapore and Port again."
Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Fit-again Irfan Fandi hopes for career boost after Asean All-Stars call-up to play against Man United
Fit-again Irfan Fandi hopes things are looking up for him after his Asean All-Stars selection that will see him play against Manchester United in Malaysia on May 28. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – After having to deal with a hip flexor strain and a torn calf muscle this season, Singapore defender Irfan Fandi is happy just to be fit and back on the pitch playing again. Hence, the 27-year-old was taken aback when he received a call from national team manager Eric Ong last week to notify him that he had been selected for the Asean All-Stars who will take on Manchester United at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on May 28. The Arsenal fan told The Sunday Times: 'I was quite surprised because I haven't been playing that much this season. So, to know that I'm wanted for the team is nice. 'I'm looking forward to it because it will be a good experience and exposure for the players to put ourselves out there against a top European side and show that Asean football is on the rise and we have quality players here.' In February, it was reported that the Red Devils will play in Malaysia for the first time in 16 years. The Asean Football Federation (AFF) then announced that Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik will lead an Asean All-Stars side against the 20-time English champions three days after they wrap up their underwhelming Premier League campaign against Aston Villa on May 25. Ruben Amorim's team, who could visit Asia as Europa League champions as they hold a 3-0 first-leg lead against Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals, will then play in Hong Kong on May 30. Kim, who won the 2024 Asean Championship with Vietnam, said: 'To be selected to lead a team composed of the finest players in South-east Asia for a grand match like this is a great honour for me. 'We are not only representing our countries, but together we will show the world the pride, spirit and strength of our region.' Other than Irfan, the Asean All-Stars will feature a selection of top players from all 12 AFF member associations. These include his Port FC teammates – Indonesia's Asnawi Mangkualam and Thailand's Worachit Kanitsribampen – as well as Malaysia's Dominic Tan, and Vietnam's Nguyen Quang Hai. The squad are yet to be finalised. Striker-turned-defender Irfan hopes the unexpected call-up will be the start of better things to come following a couple of injury-hit seasons. In the 2023-24 campaign, he played just 19 games in all competitions for BG Pathum due to a leg injury and was released after winning five trophies in five seasons with the club and piquing the interest of South Korean giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2021. In June 2024, he joined Port FC, where he again mustered just 19 matches across the season after having to cope with injuries. On the international front, he has not played for the Lions since a 4-1 away loss to China in March 2024. Irfan, who has 48 caps and two international goals, said: 'Injuries are part and parcel of football and while it was tough when I was out, I'm back to 100 per cent now. 'I'm quite happy at Port, but hopefully I can do well enough to get a chance to play against the best in the region in the AFC Champions League Elite again. I also hope my injury problems are behind me and I can play regularly for Singapore and Port again.' David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
