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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.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Kenneth tells Jun Hao and Co to chin up and step up after Japan setback
Staying sharp: Chen Tang Jie (right) serves as Toh Ee Wei looks on during their match against Japan's Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi. — AFP PETALING JAYA: Now, it's all about regrouping and turning their focus to today's quarter-final clash against China. That's the mindset Malaysia must adopt after falling short once again to Japan, losing 2-3 in their final Group C tie at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, yesterday. Malaysia got off brilliantly through wins from Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles) and Leong Jun Hao (men's singles), but Goh Jin Wei (women's singles), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (men's doubles) and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles) were unable to provide points. Aaron-Wooi Yik probably had the best chance to win but they went down fighting to 21-12, 20-22, 21-23 to Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in a battle between former world champions. National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen felt the team had given everything against the three-time runners-up but admitted that luck simply wasn't on their side this time. Still, the defeat does not spell the end. Malaysia have advanced to the quarter-finals as group runners-up and must now carry the same fighting spirit into the knockout stage if they are to keep their hopes of at least a bronze medal alive. Under the Sudirman Cup format, a place in the semi-finals is enough to guarantee a medal. Malaysia have won bronze medals in the last two editions, ending a 12-year wait in Vantaa, Finland in 2021 and repeating the achievement in Suzhou in 2023. 'I think overall we can be very proud of our team effort, our aggressive spirit on court, and the support from the bench. 'I felt we were a little unlucky today not to get the win against Japan, but they also showed what they're made of and fought all the way. 'As I just mentioned to the team, with this spirit and aggression, we stand a chance against anybody if we believe in ourselves. But now, we need to focus on our recovery,' said Jonassen. Jonassen encouraged the team to keep the same fighting spirit in the quarters. 'Maybe we need a little bit of luck, so to speak. But we don't need to do much differently than we did today. Stay aggressive and keep believing. If we do that, we've got a real chance. 'I do believe that the level tomorrow (today) will be even higher but that's the task ahead,' he added.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Jonatan and Co hope to standout in mouth-watering clash against Denmark
Powers on: Indonesia's Jonatan Christie hits a return against India's H.S. Prannoy during their men's singles match at the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China. - AFP PETALING JAYA: Indonesia and Denmark are set for a thrilling showdown on Thursday (May 1) to determine the winners in this year's group of death clash at the Sudirman Cup. This clash mirrors the 2021 edition in Vantaa, Finland, where both teams also competed for top spot in their group. Indonesia edged Denmark 3-2 then, and they'll be hoping for a repeat performance this time around. The Indonesians are riding high after a convincing 4-1 victory over India, one of the tournament's favourites, in their Group D tie on Wednesday. The standout performer was Putri Kusuma, who pulled off a stunning upset over 2019 world champion and Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist P. V. Sindhu, winning 21-12, 21-13 in just 38 minutes. "I couldn't believe it myself. Of course, I was nervous before the match, but there was so much support behind me. I just wanted to enjoy the moment because I had nothing to lose," said Putri. "I wanted to prove something to myself. I had lost to Sindhu in our previous encounters, so this wasn't just about winning; I wanted to show that women's singles can deliver vital points for Indonesia." Indonesia's remaining points came from men's singles ace Jonatan Christie, the women's doubles pair of Lanny Tria-Siti Fadia, and the men's doubles duo of Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin. This result has only fuelled Indonesia's hunger, especially after returning empty-handed from the last two editions, despite being the inaugural champions in 1989 and six-time runners-up. "Of course, I want Indonesia to reach the quarter-finals first, and then go as far as possible in the tournament," said Jonatan. "I've had many bitter memories at the Sudirman Cup. The past still lingers in my mind, and it's been a strong motivation for me to avoid repeating those mistakes this time. I'm really happy that I was finally able to contribute a point to the team." European champions Denmark had no trouble sweeping aside England 5-0, despite the absence of reigning world and Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen, who was sidelined by injury. Head coach Thomas Stavngaard faces a tougher task, as the European side have endured a medal drought in the tournament for more than a decade, with their last podium finish being a bronze in 2013 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Eyeing for Xiamen high
Make us proud: Malaysia will be counting on Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah to reach the semis in the Sudirman Cup. — AFP PETALING JAYA: Speculation over whether women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah will part ways with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has been put on hold as all attention will be now on the Sudirman Cup. The hopes are high on Pearly-Thinaah to deliver strong performance to keep Malaysia's hope alive at least to reaching the semis again in the mixed team event starting in Xiamen, China, on Sunday. Despite being at the centre of recent controversy, Pearly appeared cheerful and excited as she prepared to lead the Malaysian team as the co-captain with the men's singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao. The 24 year-old Pearly hopes to see the team display the same level of camaraderie that helped them clinch the bronze medal at the previous edition in Suzhou two years ago. In that campaign, Malaysia made a strong start by defeating India and Taiwan to top Group C, then pulled off an upset against European giants Denmark in the quarter-finals before falling to South Korea in the semi-finals. Pearly-Thinaah also contributed points for the national squad at that time, surpassing their performance during their debut in 2021 in Vantaa, Finland, where they were unable to secure a win in their matches. 'I'm really excited because two years ago, everyone gave their full commitment as a team. For this edition, I can already see the same kind of spirit and unity during centralised training. The atmosphere feels just as positive and uplifting,' said Pearly. 'This team consist of both senior and junior players. As captain, I am still learning a lot from the seniors. For the younger players, I will guide and share my experience so they do not feel too nervous. 'I was once a junior too, so I understand what it feels like. If I can help them, I will give my best to support them,' she added. Previously, there were rumours that Pearly-Thinaah were in talks with sponsors outside of BAM and might leave the association to become independent after the Sudirman Cup. So far, both have not commented on the matter, but neither has signed an extension contract with BAM as their current contract ended in January.
