Latest news with #Spain-born
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia's heritage players feel loved at Bukit Jalil
KUALA LUMPUR: The five men from the Western Hemisphere were overwhelmed by the love from Malaysian fans on Tuesday. The heritage players, making their Malaysia debut, won the hearts of more than 61,000 appreciative fans at the National Stadium, as they helped Malaysia crush Vietnam 4-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier. The Argentine-born winger, Imanol Machuca, came on in the 72nd minute as a reserve, and was welcomed by a thunderous roar from the crowd. "Unforgettable night, thank you for all the love, this is just the beginning," said Machuca in his social media post. The Spain-born defender Jon Irazabal, who played the full 90 minutes, said: "An honour to represent Malaysia in my first game. Thank you all for the incredible support, everything felt easier with you behind us. I'm grateful for the opportunity and ready for the next battle." The Argentina-born striker Rodrigo Holgado, who scored Malaysia's second goal in the 59th minute, wrote: "A dream night. I'm very happy to represent this beautiful country and fulfil this dream in my football career. I want to thank everyone who has been part of this, my teammates for the warm welcome, the coaching staff, and all the people of this wonderful country who made me feel so happy from the first minute." The Brazil-born Joao Figueiredo, who opened the scoring in the 49th minute, and the Argentine-born centreback Facundo Garces were also moved by the fans' response.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Local talent crucial to Cklamovski's long-term vision for Harimau Malaya
NATIONAL head coach Peter Cklamovski has underlined the importance of local players in his long-term plan for the Harimau Malaya squad. The 46-year-old Australian tactician also stressed that he makes no distinction between players and is committed to selecting only the best to represent the country. 'Yes, definitely (importance of local players in his long-term plan) but, at the same time, I don't differentiate between local or other players, they are all Malaysian players. Whether they're playing here or abroad, it doesn't matter to me. I'll select the best squad possible at the time. 'I told you I believed in young players, Malaysian players, no matter if you're playing in the Super League, the MFL (Malaysian Football League) Cup or you're playing abroad, you're a Malaysian player. That's the mentality I have,' he said. He said this at a post-match press conference after Malaysia held world number 72 Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw in a Tier 1 international friendly at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras here last night. In the match, Cklamovski fielded seven local players in the starting XI - a rare sight since the national team began relying on heritage and naturalised players. However, it was naturalised striker Paulo Josue who came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 79th minute to deny Cape Verde victory after Sidny Lopes Cabral had given the visitors an early eighth-minute lead. The seven players were goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed; defenders Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar and Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili; midfielder Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor; wingers Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi and Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim; and forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid. The issue of relying on heritage and naturalised players resurfaced recently, drawing attention from observers and national football legends. Meanwhile, Cklamovski praised Spain-born heritage player Gabriel Palmero, who delivered an assured performance in his international debut despite being new to the squad. 'He did really well, it's not easy playing against that type of opponent. They're world-class. He showed a good individual performance but, more importantly, connected with a really good strong team performance and I hope that makes all Malaysians proud because he's Malaysian,' he said. Cklamovski's side will face Cape Verde again in a friendly behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (June 3). The friendlies against Cape Verde are part of Malaysia's preparations for the crucial games against Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium on June 10. Vietnam and Malaysia jointly top the group with three points each after winning their opening matches. 'We will have a good recovery, then start building for the June 3 friendly, which will be another game to test ourselves tactically and also physically and then continue building for an important game against Vietnam,' Cklamovski said.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Local players key to Cklamovski's Harimau Malaya plan
NATIONAL head coach Peter Cklamovski has underlined the importance of local players in his long-term plan for the Harimau Malaya squad. The 46-year-old Australian tactician also stressed that he makes no distinction between players and is committed to selecting only the best to represent the country. 'Yes, definitely (importance of local players in his long-term plan) but, at the same time, I don't differentiate between local or other players, they are all Malaysian players. Whether they're playing here or abroad, it doesn't matter to me. I'll select the best squad possible at the time. 'I told you I believed in young players, Malaysian players, no matter if you're playing in the Super League, the MFL (Malaysian Football League) Cup or you're playing abroad, you're a Malaysian player. That's the mentality I have,' he said. He said this at a post-match press conference after Malaysia held world number 72 Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw in a Tier 1 international friendly at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras here last night. In the match, Cklamovski fielded seven local players in the starting XI - a rare sight since the national team began relying on heritage and naturalised players. However, it was naturalised striker Paulo Josue who came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 79th minute to deny Cape Verde victory after Sidny Lopes Cabral had given the visitors an early eighth-minute lead. The seven players were goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed; defenders Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar and Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili; midfielder Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor; wingers Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi and Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim; and forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid. The issue of relying on heritage and naturalised players resurfaced recently, drawing attention from observers and national football legends. Meanwhile, Cklamovski praised Spain-born heritage player Gabriel Palmero, who delivered an assured performance in his international debut despite being new to the squad. 'He did really well, it's not easy playing against that type of opponent. They're world-class. He showed a good individual performance but, more importantly, connected with a really good strong team performance and I hope that makes all Malaysians proud because he's Malaysian,' he said. Cklamovski's side will face Cape Verde again in a friendly behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (June 3). The friendlies against Cape Verde are part of Malaysia's preparations for the crucial games against Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium on June 10. Vietnam and Malaysia jointly top the group with three points each after winning their opening matches. 'We will have a good recovery, then start building for the June 3 friendly, which will be another game to test ourselves tactically and also physically and then continue building for an important game against Vietnam,' Cklamovski said.
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Alex Palou Indy 500 prize money: How much will winner take home. And what about the rest?
Alex Palou made history on Sunday by becoming the first Spaniard to win the Indianapolis 500. The 28-year-old, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, held off Marcus Ericsson for a close victory. With the title, the Spain-born driver will take home a whopping prize money. The Indy 500 purse is among motorsport's largest, funded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), NTT IndyCar Series awards, sponsors, and TV revenue. In 2024, the purse reached a record $18,456,000, with winner Josef Newgarden earning $4,288,000, including a $440,000 BorgWarner rollover bonus for back-to-back wins. The purse has grown steadily, from $16,000,200 in 2022 to $17,021,500 in 2023, and is expected to hit or exceed $19 million in 2025, per IndyStar estimates. Approximately 20% of the purse goes to the winner, with the rest distributed among the 33-driver field based on finishing position, laps led, and special awards. Palou's 2025 winnings are projected at $3.8 million to $4.5 million, assuming a purse of $19 million and no rollover bonus (since he's a first-time winner). Base Winner's Share: Historically, winners receive ~15–20% of the purse, equating to ~$3.8 million for a $19 million pot. Laps Led Bonus: Palou led at least 14 laps, with each lap led worth ~$5,000–$10,000 based on 2024 payouts, adding $70,000–$140,000. Qualifying and Practice Awards: Despite starting sixth, Palou's fast practice laps (226.765 mph) and Top 12 qualifying (233.043 mph) likely earned $10,000–$50,000 in bonuses, per Chartered Team Boost: The 2025 IndyCar charter system grants higher payouts to chartered teams like Chip Ganassi Racing, increasing Palou's share over non-chartered entries. The remaining purse is distributed progressively, with second-place Marcus Ericsson likely earning ~$1.05 million (as Pato O'Ward did in 2024) and the average driver payout around $550,000, up from $543,000 in 2024. Special awards, like the $50,000 Rookie of the Year bonus (won by Kyle Larson in 2024), add to individual earnings. Pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman earned $100,000 for his historic rookie pole. The exact payout is only revealed after the race.
South China Morning Post
02-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Spain-born striker targets Hong Kong selection, after overcoming knee injury anguish
Manuel Bleda said he was 'dreaming' of a first call-up for the Hong Kong team after recovering from three operations on a badly damaged knee, and gaining a new contract with Eastern. Advertisement The Spain-born forward obtained his passport in February 2024, when he was still laid up with the torn cruciate ligament he suffered the previous summer. A return at the end of last season proved to be a false start, when Bleda, who was on loan from Lee Man, played as a substitute in Eastern's FA Cup final win over Sham Shui Po, but 'could still feel my knee was not secure'. 'When I got the passport last year, I wanted to play [for Eastern] as a local, but also to help the Hong Kong team,' Bleda said. 'I was unlucky with my injury … I went back to Spain [after the Cup final] and the doctors said my ACL was not working. 'I needed more surgery, and was back to the first day [of rehabilitation].' The following nine months were 'difficult every day', as Bleda recovered with Eastern. He said he would 'see my teammates training, while I was in the gym'. 'It was a very hard time … I needed a strong mind,' he added. After recapturing fitness, Bleda was handed a contract with Eastern, where he spent three years after coming to Hong Kong in 2016.
