Tigers up to speed for Nations Cup after fine tour in Korea
PETALING JAYA: The national hockey team are shaping up well ahead of the Nations Cup next month after concluding their Tour in South Korea.
The Speedy Tigers performed well as they returned with two wins, two draws, and one loss against the South Korean national team at the Jincheon National Training Centre.
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New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sarjit calls up Danish after Hafizuddin's injury in Jincheon
KUALA LUMPUR: National men's hockey coach Sarjit Singh is concerned with the goalkeeping department as Malaysia prepare for the Nations Cup at Bukit Jalil from June 15-21. First choice Hafizuddin Othman suffered a back injury during the five-match playing tour to Jincheon, South Korea from May 18-29. Hafizuddin, who has 112 international caps, suffered the injury in the third friendly. "Rafaizul Saini (ex-junior World Cupper) played in the fourth and fifth matches, but he was weak in defending penalty corners," said Sarjit. "I am concerned about the goalkeeping department and have called up another goalkeeper, Danish Afnan Faizal (who played in the 2023 Junior World Cup)." On the team's performance in Jincheon, Sarjit said: "Overall the players played well with a fast attacking game in all the five matches against the Koreans." World No. 13 Malaysia beat world No. 14 South Korea with identical scores of 4-1 in the first two matches, but drew the next two 5-5 and 1-1 before losing 4-2 in the fifth. The Speedy Tigers earned 23 penalty corners and converted five, while the Koreans converted five of 25 penalty corners. Malaysia are drawn in Group B of the Nations Cup with world No. 12 New Zealand, Pakistan (No. 15) and Japan (No. 16). Group A consists of world No. 9 France, South Africa (No. 11), South Korea (No. 14) and Wales (No.18).
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Former champ Kim in six-way tie for US Women's Open lead
CHICAGO: Former champion Kim A-lim fired six birdies in a four-under-par 68 to headline a group of six players tied atop a log-jammed leaderboard after the first round of the 80th US Women's Open on Thursday. Fellow South Korean Im Jin-hee, Japan's Rio Takeda, Americans Yealimi Noh and Angel Yin and Spanish LPGA rookie Julia Lopez Ramirez shared the lead, one stroke in front of a group of five players tied on three-under-par 69. Another seven players were two adrift, but Kim said she wouldn't expend her energy worrying about who might be in striking distance. "Honestly, I'm not thinking about (the) leaderboard because my job is process, not result," said Kim, who won the 2020 US Open in her major championship debut. "Next three days, I play the same thing as today: focus on my line, hit it. That's all." With little wind, Erin Hills, the rolling 6,829-yard par-72 layout in Erin, Wisconsin, offered perhaps its most benign face for the first round of the first US Women's Open to be held there. Noh, who holed out for an eagle at the 14th and birdied the par-five 18th, called it a "good scoring day." But plenty of marquee names were unable to join the 33 players to shoot under par. World number one Nelly Korda was playing catchup after a bogey at the third, finally getting to even par 72 with a birdie at the par-five 18th. Defending champion Yuka Saso's bid for a third US Open title in five seasons got off to a rocky start with a two-over-par 74. World number two Jeeno Thitikul of Tailand opened with a three-over 75 while third-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand – whose resume includes three major titles but no US Open – posted a one-over 73. "I think I'm happy with it," Korda said. "Obviously, I wish the ball found the bottom of the cup a little bit more. "First day of the US Open, it's all about patience. I'm striking it pretty well, so hopefully I can carry that into the next couple days." While Korda struggled to get things going, Kim opened with back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th. After a bogey at the 12th she added birdies at 16 and 17 and took the solo lead at five-under with birdie bombs at the first and third before giving a stroke back at the sixth. Takeda had three birdies and one bogey on each side while Im opened with nine straight pars and had all four of her birdies in a five-hole span from the 10th through the 14th. Lopez Ramirez was also bogey-free, an impressive performance for the 22-year-old who came through qualifying to book her first US Open appearance. "Honestly it's been my first bogey-free round since I turned pro, so it's quite exciting," said the Spaniard, whose season was disrupted by an appendectomy in March. Lopez Ramirez and Yin were among the afternoon starters, Yin shaking off an early bogey with five birdies – including three in a row at eight, nine and 10 – before a setback at 17. In the right rough off the tee she came up short of the green, then saw her third shot spin off into a collection area, from where she managed to salvage a bogey. "This is what this course can do," said Yin, who regained a share of the lead with a birdie at the last.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Putting Asean on summit
Composed show: Asean All-Stars' Nguyen Hai Long (second from right) trying to dribble the ball past three Manchester United players during the Maybank Challenge Cup match. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: For Asean All-Stars coach Kim Sang-sik, it was a night of immense pride and satisfaction as his hastily assembled side pulled off a famous win against one of the biggest clubs in the world. The Asean All-Stars defeated English giants Manchester United 1-0 to win the Maybank Challenge Cup at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. Myanmar captain and winger Maung Maung Lwin was the hero, scoring in the 70th minute. 'To play against one of the best clubs in the world - it was a great match, a great performance,' said the South Korean, who coaches the Vietnam national team. 'We only trained for two days, but they played together like they knew each other for 20 years. It was organised and polished. 'We are grateful for this opportunity.' Sang-sik praised his players' ability to rise to the occasion despite the odds, especially in the face of physical challenges and humid conditions. He singled out Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen Hai Long, who only joined the squad a day before the match but put in a composed display. 'Hai Long played well. He's done well for Vietnam, and I hope Amorim watched him and is interested in the player,' joked Sang-sik. The game also saw Malaysian playmaker Sergio Aguero –brought in as a captain – lead the All-Stars with composure, adding a touch of experience and flair in midfield. 'To beat Manchester United is a special moment for me and a meaningful one. I can spend a good time with the Asean All-Stars and celebrate together as a team,' said Sang-sik. 'Plus I have followed Manchester for a long time especially when Park Ji-sung was there and also the great presence of Sir Alex Ferguson.' He also turned his attention to the upcoming challenge against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10, promising a stronger performance. 'Next month, there'll be a sea of yellow. Our team will prepare well against Malaysia and want to be ready for this game.' With belief, spirit, and a dose of organisation, the Asean All-Stars gave Ruben Amorim and United plenty to ponder and sent a signal that South-East Asian football is ready to test itself more regularly on the global stage.
