Latest news with #ASEANFootballFederation
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Asian football: Malaysia, Oman set to participate in CAFA Nations Cup 2025 as guest teams
Malaysia and Oman have been officially invited as guest nations to take part in the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations League 2025, scheduled to take place from August 26 to September 9. Malaysia (under the ASEAN Football Federation) and Oman (under the West Asian Football Federation) will compete with Central Asian teams like Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. ALSO READ: No ISL in Indian football's 2025-26 calendar — AIFF excludes Indian Super League from next season's schedule The tournament will be co-hosted by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Russia was initially expected to participate as a guest team but declined the invitation. The inaugural edition of the CAFA Nations League took place in 2023 where Iran beat Uzbekistan 1-0 to clinch the title.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Darwin hosts its first Asian Cup qualifier match, deepening cultural ties between nations
Darwin has hosted its first Asian Cup qualifier match, in which Australia's northernmost neighbour, Timor-Leste, clinched a narrow victory over the Maldives. It marked the first time a match part of a major continental competition has been played in the Northern Territory. The game was part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)'s 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, with Timor-Leste's win meaning it is still in contention for round 3 of the competition. Speaking before the match, Timorese defender Jackson Pereira Fowler said for him and many of his teammates, the match was an opportunity to showcase their talents and culture in a country where many Timorese had sought refuge after fleeing war. Pereira Fowler, who was born in Australia, said playing in Darwin would be extra motivation for the team because some considered it "their second home". "The atmosphere would definitely make us feel more at home for the players from Dili, and it would be good for us as a team," he said. The decision for the qualifier to be held in the NT came after the construction of new sporting facilities in Dili left the Timor-Leste team without a suitable pitch. That led the Timor-Leste Football Federation to ask Football Australia and the federal government for the game to be played in Darwin. In a statement, Football Australia said it was "proud to support its fellow ASEAN Football Federation member association, Football Federation Timor-Leste, by approving Darwin as the neutral venue" for the qualifier. Off the field, Consul-General of Timor-Leste in the NT, José Amorim Dias, said he hoped bringing the men's soccer team to Darwin for the crucial match would help deepen the country's ties with Australia. "Football contributes to strengthening the bond between people … but also it helps to strengthen the bilateral relationship that Timor-Leste has with Australia," he said. Mr Dias said he hoped to see more collaboration between Australia and Timor-Leste to address social and economic issues, which he believed would contribute to both countries' development. Football Northern Territory chief executive Jamie Monteith said he would like to see more major sporting events played in the territory, and believed they could bring communities closer together. "[This match] is another opportunity to bring high-calibre football to the territory from a national perspective [and] it allows our players to witness and see what international football looks like," he said. Pereira Fowler said he believed sporting events like this could have far-reaching positive impacts for the communities involved, especially for young people. "It will show other Timorese kids from Dili, Darwin and wherever they are … that one day hopefully, [they can] be where I am now," Pereira Fowler said.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Vietnam Coach struggles to ‘read' Harimau Malaya's game
VIETNAM head coach Kim Sang Sik is finding it difficult to analyse the Harimau Malaya's game ahead of their second Group F match in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tomorrow night. The South Korean coach said that this was due to the composition of head coach Peter Chlamovski's Malaysian squad, which has a mix of local, naturalised and heritage players. 'I think it will be a difficult match. From what I know, Malaysia have 18 players in the squad and there are five new faces for the game against Vietnam. 'It's true, we are having a hard time evaluating their players, there is not much information for us, but we are preparing well. We aim to be ready and put up a strong performance tomorrow,' he told a pre-match press conference here today. The 48-year-old coach was referring to the inclusion of five new heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad - forwards Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Joao Figueiredo; and defenders Jon Irazabal and Facundo Garces. Their arrival completes the list of seven heritage players in the national team this year, following the earlier inclusion of midfielder Hector Hevel and defender Gabriel Palmero. Meanwhile, Golden Star Warriors captain Do Duy Manh also believes that the presence of these heritage players in the Malaysian squad will make tomorrow's match a tough one, despite his team's favourable head-to-head record against the Harimau Malaya. 'There are many foreign players. They are very good players. Tomorrow's match will not be easy for us, but we have our goals and determination. This match won't be like 2018. Malaysia have a new coach and a new squad,' he said. Duy Manh was, of course, referring to the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup final where he helped Vietnam defeat Malaysia 3-2 on aggregate. Vietnam and Malaysia currently share the top spot in Group F with three points each after winning their opening matches. For the record, Malaysia last defeated Vietnam 4-2 in the semi-finals of the 2014 AFF Cup in Hanoi and, since then, have lost seven times and drawn once against the Golden Star Warriors across all competitions. 'This will be the most important match, (and) could be the most difficult match to advance to the 2027 Asian Cup. We will do our best to win tomorrow's match. If we can play to our strengths, like playing as a team and attacking as a unit, we can get the points,' said Duy Manh.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Vietnam coach struggles to ‘read' Harimau Malaya's game ahead of crucial tie
VIETNAM head coach Kim Sang Sik is finding it difficult to analyse the Harimau Malaya's game ahead of their second Group F match in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here tomorrow night. The South Korean coach said that this was due to the composition of head coach Peter Chlamovski's Malaysian squad, which has a mix of local, naturalised and heritage players. 'I think it will be a difficult match. From what I know, Malaysia have 18 players in the squad and there are five new faces for the game against Vietnam. 'It's true, we are having a hard time evaluating their players, there is not much information for us, but we are preparing well. We aim to be ready and put up a strong performance tomorrow,' he told a pre-match press conference here today. The 48-year-old coach was referring to the inclusion of five new heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad - forwards Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca and Joao Figueiredo; and defenders Jon Irazabal and Facundo Garces. Their arrival completes the list of seven heritage players in the national team this year, following the earlier inclusion of midfielder Hector Hevel and defender Gabriel Palmero. Meanwhile, Golden Star Warriors captain Do Duy Manh also believes that the presence of these heritage players in the Malaysian squad will make tomorrow's match a tough one, despite his team's favourable head-to-head record against the Harimau Malaya. 'There are many foreign players. They are very good players. Tomorrow's match will not be easy for us, but we have our goals and determination. This match won't be like 2018. Malaysia have a new coach and a new squad,' he said. Duy Manh was, of course, referring to the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup final where he helped Vietnam defeat Malaysia 3-2 on aggregate. Vietnam and Malaysia currently share the top spot in Group F with three points each after winning their opening matches. For the record, Malaysia last defeated Vietnam 4-2 in the semi-finals of the 2014 AFF Cup in Hanoi and, since then, have lost seven times and drawn once against the Golden Star Warriors across all competitions. 'This will be the most important match, (and) could be the most difficult match to advance to the 2027 Asian Cup. We will do our best to win tomorrow's match. If we can play to our strengths, like playing as a team and attacking as a unit, we can get the points,' said Duy Manh.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Amorim turns red as phone alarm disrupts United, ASEAN All-Stars presser
MANCHESTER United head coach Ruben Amorim caused an unexpected pause during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Maybank Challenge Cup clash against the ASEAN All-Stars here, today. The minor incident occurred when the 40-year-old Portuguese tactician's mobile phone rang while ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) President Major General Khiev Sameth was speaking during the media session. All eyes turned to Amorim as he calmly silenced the device, managing the situation with composure before proceedings resumed. The light-hearted moment drew smiles from those present and added a touch of humour to the session. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Amorim revealed that the interruption came from his house alarm. 'I apologise for the house I'm away I like to control my kids,' he said while holding back laughter as his face turned red. The clash between United and the ASEAN All-Stars is scheduled to take place at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow night. The last time the Red Devils played in Malaysia was during the 2009 pre-season tour, beating Malaysia XI twice, 3-2 and 2-0, respectively on July 18 and 20 at the National Stadium. The 13-time Premier League champions, who have endured a dismal season by their lofty standards when they ended the season in 15th spot with 42 points, are also scheduled to travel to Hong Kong as part of their post-season tour to play against the Hong Kong national team at the Hong Kong Stadium on May 30.
