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New Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
As Harimau roar, the rest of Asia better pay attention
WHEN a tiger tears apart a Golden Star, it's a sign Malaysian football is roaring back to life. Peter Cklamovski made an emphatic statement in just his third official game in charge, as a revamped Harimau Malaya thrashed regional powerhouse Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 60,000 roaring fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. It wasn't just a win, it was a warning. A bold declaration that Malaysia are back in business. Not since 2014 had Malaysia beaten Vietnam, and never in such brutal fashion. The Golden Star Warriors, reigning Asean Cup champions and long-time regional giants, were left shell-shocked. With this result, Malaysia are virtually assured of a place at the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. But more than qualification, this felt like the start of something special. There was plenty of scepticism in the lead-up. Questions swirled around the late inclusion of a clutch of newly cleared heritage players, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces, and second-half substitute Imanol Machuca, all receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off. But on the pitch, there was no sign of hesitation. No sign of rust. No sign they'd just arrived. They played like they belonged. Figueiredo and Holgado didn't just score, they celebrated like born-and-bred Malaysians, pumping fists and pointing to the badge. Their passion was matched by their quality. At the back, Garces and Irazabal brought much-needed steel and composure, forming a wall Vietnam couldn't breach. Machuca, when introduced, added flair and pace. The foreign-born contingent didn't just boost the squad, they transformed it. Yet despite the debutants grabbing headlines, it was Arif Aiman Hanapi who shone brightest. The Johor Darul Ta'zim winger, far from being overshadowed, was the best player on the pitch. He tore through the Vietnamese defence, created two goals with electric pace and precision, and reminded everyone that local talent can still set the standard. This was no fluke. Malaysia were aggressive, structured and ruthless. The Tigers didn't just outplay Vietnam, they dominated them. From the first whistle, they looked hungrier, sharper and far more organised. Vietnam, usually composed and compact, were reduced to chasing shadows. Malaysia made them look like minnows. And the scary part? Harimau Malaya are only just getting started. If Cklamovski keeps this group fit and firing, more teams will fall. The energy, belief and tactical discipline were all there, and the squad depth has never looked better. But the Australian tactician should keep his focus tight. His job is to build the team and unify the camp. That includes making friends, not enemies with all stakeholders, including the media. He's here to evolve Malaysian football, and winning allies off the pitch will be just as vital. Why would any Malaysian want him and Harimau Malaya to fail? Tuesday also marked a turning point: nine of Malaysia's starting XI were heritage players. A first for the nation. A reality some old-school fans might struggle with. Gone are the days of the traditional "Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu" line-up. Modern football demands new thinking. National identity isn't diluted by diverse roots. It's defined by shared ambition and passion. The badge matters more than birthplace. If Tuesday proved anything, it's that these players are all-in for Malaysia. Still, there's a caveat. Heritage or naturalised stars offer a quick fix, but the long game lies in the grassroots. Development programmes must not be sidelined. Investment in youth academies, school systems and talent scouting is still the backbone of true progress. Japan offered a masterclass on the same night, fielding an all-local side, not their best squad, to demolish a heritage-laden Indonesia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier. That's the gold standard. That's the long-term vision Malaysia must aim for. But right now? This win matters. This performance matters. It's been a long road of mediocrity and fleeting optimism. This feels different. Cklamovski has brought structure, belief and modern ideas. And the players — whether born in Johor or Rosario — are buying in. Malaysia aren't just back, they're dangerous. And as Vietnam found out the hard way, when a tiger has teeth and purpose, even giants fall. Harimau Malaya roared, and the rest of Asia had better pay attention.
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'I stopped Man United, now it's Malaysia' says Vietnam captain
KUALA LUMPUR: Vietnam captain Do Duy Manh knows exactly what awaits him and his teammates when they face Harimau Malaya in Tuesday's Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil — a deafening roar from the home crowd. The 28-year-old centre-back is no stranger to the Bukit Jalil cauldron, having recently played there in the Maybank Challenge Cup, where he helped the Asean All-Stars stun Manchester United 1-0. He also featured in the pulsating first leg of the 2018 Asean Cup final, where Malaysia fought back to draw 2-2 before Vietnam clinched the title with a 1-0 win in Hanoi to seal a 3-2 aggregate victory. "My first game here was the 2018 Asean Cup final. The second was just 12 days ago, against Manchester United. And now, tomorrow's match, I think it will be a very exciting game," said Duy Manh at Monday's pre-match press conference in Bukit Jalil. "We'll be playing in a big stadium, under pressure from a large Malaysian crowd. My teammates and I will do our best to handle that pressure. We must stay focused for the full 90 minutes and follow the coach's instructions." Malaysia have struggled against Vietnam in recent years, losing seven and drawing one in their last eight meetings, with their most recent win dating back to 2014. But Duy Manh warned that this isn't the same Malaysian side they're used to facing. "It's not the same as in 2018. Malaysia have a new coach and a new squad. From what we know, there are around 17 to 18 new players, and some of them play abroad." "It won't be an easy game. But we have our own goals, and we'll try our best to achieve them. We could lose, we could draw, or we could win, but personally, I'm just focused on the match."
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Cklamovski's secret 'heritage' weapons primed to strike against Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya will be looking to break their 11-year winless streak against Vietnam when they clash in a crunch Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (9pm). Malaysia have lost seven and drawn one in their last eight meetings with the Golden Star Warriors since their last victory in the 2014 AFF Cup, now rebranded as the Asean Cup. But head coach Peter Cklamovski is banking on his new batch of heritage players — many of whom hail from South America and Europe — to tilt the balance in favour of the hosts. Among the fresh faces expected to feature are Argentines Imanol Machuca, Rodrigo Holgado and Facundo Garces, Brazilian Joao Figueiredo, and Jon Irazabal. All have trained behind closed doors, with both training sessions and the recent friendly against Cape Verde kept under wraps. Also in the squad are Hector Hevel and Gabriel Palmero, who joined up with the national team in March following Cklamovski's appointment. "We have the mentality to win every game we play," said Cklamovski at Monday's pre-match press conference. "There's a little bit of detail around the fact that Malaysia haven't beaten Vietnam in over 10 years — but instead of fearing that, we see it as a challenge. We want to create history, and that's the opportunity in front of us. "I'm very happy with the squad and excited to deliver a good performance. The new boys have shown pride in every training session, and we're building a family atmosphere in this team. We're focused and ready." Cklamovski brushed off suggestions that secrecy surrounding his squad had created distraction. "If anything, the noise is for you guys (in the media). Internally, we're focused. We work on being a strong team, and that's what we do every day." Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik, meanwhile, admitted that his side have little information on Malaysia's new-look squad but is urging his team to concentrate on themselves. "This could be the most important and difficult match in our path to the Asian Cup," said Sang Sik. "If Vietnam play as a unit and execute our attacking tactics, we can get the points. Away games are never easy, but our preparation has been good. "Whether we know a lot about the new players or not, the result depends on how we perform. There's pressure, but I choose to think positively. We will give our all."
The Star
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
AFF sign up Hyundai as their new title sponsor
The AFF Cup will now be known as the Asean Hyundai Cup following the announcement of new title sponsor Hyundai Motor. Credit - SPORTFIVE PETALING JAYA: The Asean Football Federation (AFF) have announced a new title sponsor to Southeast Asia's premier football competition as they introduce the Asean Hyundai Cup (AFF Cup). "We are honoured to welcome Hyundai, a global leader in mobility and innovation and a steadfast supporter of football as the title partner of the Asean Cup," said AFF president Khiev Sameth. "Hyundai's legacy of excellence and its unwavering commitment to the global football community align perfectly with AFF's mission to drive the growth and development of football across Southeast Asia. "It embodies the highest aspirations of our region's players, fans and nations," he said. President of Hyundai Motor Asia Pacific, Sunny Kim, said football is a platform that unites and empowers communities. "With over 26 years of global partnerships, we see Asean as a region where football's spirit thrives. This sponsorship aligns with our vision of 'Progress for Humanity' by supporting education, inclusion, and sustainable growth," he said. They will also be the sponsor for three other major tournaments, namely the Asean Club Championship, Asean Women's Championship, and Asean U-23 Championship. With the most recent edition of the AFF Cup ending in January with Vietnam taking their third title, the next edition will be taking place in 2026. Malaysia have only won the tournament once in 2010, while Thailand have the most titles at seven (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022).
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Harimau Malaya's Asian Cup hopes tested by off-season lull
KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Peter Cklamovski admits the M-League's off-season break poses a challenge as Harimau Malaya prepare to face Vietnam in their Asian Cup Group F qualifier this June. Malaysia, under former coach Kim Pan Gon, headed into the 2024 Asian Cup during a league break and returned from Qatar without a single win. Now, Cklamovski is determined to avoid a repeat, revealing he is planning at least one or two friendly matches to get his players back into competitive rhythm ahead of the June 10 showdown at Bukit Jalil against the world No. 109 side. The off-season begins after the Malaysia Cup final on Saturday, meaning national players will be out of competitive action for more than a month before the qualifier. The Australian, however, is confident Malaysia can spring a surprise against Asean Cup holders Vietnam — despite a dismal head-to-head record which has seen Malaysia lose their last five meetings against their regional rivals. "We will carry out meticulous preparations to face Vietnam," said Cklamovski at the FA of Malaysia's (FAM) Hari Raya open house in Kelana Jaya today (April 23). "This time, it's slightly more challenging because the league season will have ended and the players are in recovery mode after a long campaign. "It's a difficult match, but not impossible. We'll give our all. We definitely need one or two friendlies to help the players find their rhythm before the Vietnam clash. "We'll announce the details of those matches soon." Both Malaysia and Vietnam currently have three points in Group F, with Vietnam at the top on goal difference. World No. 131 Malaysia got off to a solid start with a 2-0 win over Nepal on March 25, while Vietnam made a statement by thrashing Laos 5-0. Only the group winners will advance to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
