
Influx of fresh blood for Malaysia keeps Vietnam coach on guard
Coach Kim Sang-sik (right)
KUALA LUMPUR: The Vietnam football squad know the significance of their next battle against a new-look Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier and they are not leaving anything to chance.
Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik is aware of the five new mixed-heritage players in the Harimau Malaya squad as they prepare for the match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil here on Tuesday (June 10).
Sang-sik has called on his side to stay united and focused. He also acknowledged the hurdles in their path but insisted that with belief and hard work, they can make a difference.
"This is the most important and difficult game in our quest to advance to the Asian Cup," said the South Korean during a pre-match press conference at the National Stadium on Monday (June 9).
"We want to play as a unit and aim for points."
Sang-sik admits that the Golden Dragons' preparations have been complicated by the influx of fresh blood for Malaysia.
"It makes it difficult for us. We do not have much information on some of these players, but we'll assess our squad and prepare based on our plan," he said.
"Football is always difficult, whether we have the information or not. The results depend on us."
Despite the pressure of the occasion and the hostile atmosphere awaiting them in Bukit Jalil, Sang-sik was unfazed.
"I'm a positive person, so pressure is not what I think about. The aim is the effort on the field and yes, to continue our good run against Malaysia."
Sang-sik and some of his players had their confidence boosted when they featured for the Asean All-Stars in the 1-0 win over Premier League giants Manchester United in a recent friendly.
Sang-sik, who was coach of the Asean All-Stars, said: "We were lucky to win because United struggled with the travelling and weather. But I'm satisfied. It was a great chance to show Southeast Asian players can move abroad and develop globally."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
26 minutes ago
- The Star
Soccer-Man City sign Cherki from Lyon on five-year contract
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Europa League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - April 17, 2025, Manchester United's Andre Onana and Manchester United's Christian Eriksen react after Olympique Lyonnais' Rayan Cherki scores their third goal REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo (Reuters) -Manchester City have signed attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki from Olympique Lyonnais on a five-year contract ahead of this month's Club World Cup, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British media reported that City paid around 40 million euros ($45.70 million) for the 21-year-old Frenchman. Cherki had his best season for Lyon in 2024-25, scoring 12 goals and providing 20 assists in all competitions. "This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special," Cherki said in a statement. "I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport and I can't wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep (Guardiola) and his backroom staff. "I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can't wait to show City fans what I can do." The recently capped France international, who can play as an attacking midfielder and right winger, scored in both legs of his team's Europa League quarter-final 7-6 aggregate loss to Manchester United. City will kick off their Club World Cup campaign on June 18 against Moroccan side Wydad AC, followed by matches against Emirati club Al-Ain and Juventus. ($1 = 0.8754 euros) (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)

Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Cklamovski Hails Harimau Malaya's Commitment In 4-0 Win Over Vietnam
SPORTS KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 (Bernama) -- Harimau Malaya head coach Peter Cklamovski has attributed his players' commitment as the key to their success in crushing Vietnam 4-0 in their second AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Group match at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium here tonight. The Australian coach, speaking at a post-match press conference, said it also proved the effectiveness of the training his players underwent within a short period. "In the first half, we created a good chance, while the players showed their discipline in the second half. I praise their commitment, and they deserve the win," he said. Cklamovski also cautioned his players not to get carried away by tonight's victory and to remain focused on the Asian Cup qualifiers, admitting there was still room for improvement ahead of the next match. Meanwhile, Vietnam coach Kim Sang Sik conceded to the strength of the Harimau Malaya squad this time, but believed his team still had a chance to seek revenge in the return leg. "This game, I felt Malaysia was very strong, stronger than before. We had expected their performance to be better than before. "First half, we did as planned, but in the second half, we lost two defenders, thus affecting our defence," he said. Malaysia ended an eleven-year winless streak against Vietnam with a 4-0 victory tonight, courtesy of goals from Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Corbin Ong, and Dion Cools. -- BERNAMA


New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Cklamovski pleased with Malaysia's focus in big win over Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski hailed his men's focus in the 4-0 demolition of Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Thursday. Harimau Malaya hit Vietnam with goals from Joao Figueiredo (49th minute), Rodrigo Holgado (59th), La'vere Corbin Ong (67th) and Dion Cools (88th) The win propelled Malaysia to the top of Group F with six points from two matches. Malaysian beat Nepal 2-0 in March. "I thought we were good in the first half, it was a strong team performance. We went into half time, 0-0, but we probably could have got in front in that first half, " said Australian Cklamovski in the post-match press conference. "It was important that we stayed focused in the second half, the discipline and kept working hard as a team. And you know that's important for us because we don't rely on one player, we rely on 11 players. "On the pitch everything went well, whoever's out there, the subs did well. If we get one, we'll get two, we'll get three." Cklamovski also paid tribute to the Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) bus crash victims and their family. "I just want to, on behalf of everybody within the national team, pay tribute to all the families that were affected by yesterday's hope football can provide happiness."