Cklamovski's men don't just dream, they work very hard
KUALA LUMPUR: The man from Down Under has put Malaysia on a high.
And Australian coach Peter Cklamovski feels that the Asian Cup qualification is not just a dream as Malaysia now have the performance to back it up.
Malaysia have surged to the top of Group F after demolishing Vietnam 4-0 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. Cklamovski's men, who beat Nepal 2-0 in their group opener in March, are well on course to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Cklamovski said in the post-match press conference: "We got that dream, without a doubt, and you saw the commitment the players have for that.
"We don't just think about it, we have to do it by action, and we have to do it by action every day, and that performance is a reflection of what I see every day from May 19, phase one, through to phase two, and then to the final phase.
"I see a committed group of players hungry to build a team mentality that will make Malaysians proud, and tonight's a reflection of that.
"To recover, we have to analyse this game, and then we get on to the next one. We've just got three points, that's all.
"We've got more work to do, and we've got more steps to take to performance. Again, you'll hear me say it a lot, because that's everything that we think and talk about, because it's not about one player, it's about 11 players. We have 11 captains on the field, whoever plays.
"We have 30 players training hard, being leaders in training. That's a mentality that will grow. We've got more work to do, physically improving, football's improving, and we've got more work to do."
After seeing Malaysia end an 11-year barren record against Southeast Asia big guns Vietnam, Cklamovski said: "There's a lot of speculation around our opponents, and from people saying that we can't outwork Vietnam. I'm really proud of the players for pushing 97 minutes out, and I want to say a big thank you to all the supporters that turned up. That was a special atmosphere, I'm sure.
"It made all the players feel special playing for Malaysia, and we wanted to play football to get them united. We wanted to play football to inspire them, and tonight we showed them the team we want to be," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Soccer-Tottenham appoint Brentford's Frank as manager
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - September 21, 2024, Brentford manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Tottenham Hotspur named Thomas Frank as their fifth full-time manager in six years on Thursday with the Premier League club confirming they had hired the former Brentford boss on a three-year contract to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. The 51-year-old Dane, who has been in charge of Brentford since 2018 and established them in the top flight, will take charge of a club that will take part in next year's Champions League after they won the Europa League last month in Bilbao. "In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game," a club statement said. "He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead." Australian Postecoglou's achievement in delivering Spurs' first trophy for 17 years was overshadowed by a woeful Premier League season which saw them finish 17th with 22 defeats, their worst campaign since the club were relegated in 1977. Frank began his coaching career with Denmark's under-age sides before taking charge at Brondby in 2013, leaving in March 2016 and in December that year joined Brentford as assistant to Dean Smith in the Championship (second tier). In October 2018, after the dismissal of Smith, Frank was appointed Bees manager. "From the moment he replaced Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club," Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles said. "We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential." Frank has been impressive during his time at Brentford -- creating a high-scoring side who have punched above their weight since reaching the Premier League in 2021 via the playoffs. In their four Premier League seasons under Frank, Brentford have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th and last term only four teams scored more than their 66 goals. A keen user of player data, Frank and his backroom staff have proved especially adept at unearthing gems and selling those players on for huge profits, such as forwards Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Said Benrahma plus goalkeeper David Raya Despite the outgoings, Brentford have managed to remain competitive in the top flight under Frank and last season were in the mix for European qualification. Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them last season and both could well be Tottenham targets during the close season. Frank has gained a reputation for his attention to detail and it is no surprise that his Brentford side scored inside 40 seconds in three successive league games last season. "We have a kick-off strategy and we tweak it from game-to-game. And as a mindset and philosophy, we like to get straight on the front foot and be positive," Frank said at the time. He now faces a completely different challenge at Tottenham and a fast start to his reign will be important to win over fans who felt Postecoglou should have been rewarded for winning a trophy by being given another season at the helm. Brentford assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton are also joining Frank at Spurs, along with Andreas Georgson from Manchester United. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; additional reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Ken Ferris)
The Star
8 hours ago
- 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.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
FAM grateful to Tunku Ismail for revolutionising the national team
Previous Next KUALA LUMPUR: The national football team revolution, engineered by the Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, has taken off like a rocket. It has propelled Malaysia to the top of Group F and virtually into the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. This has led to the FA of Malaysia (FAM) expressing its gratitude to Tunku Ismail for his efforts and vision in revolutionising the national team. FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said Tunku Ismail's influence is already bearing fruit, with Malaysia's resounding 4-0 win over Vietnam in the qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. "That victory was incredibly special. After 11 long years, we finally defeated Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia's football powerhouses," he said. "On behalf of the FAM executive committee, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to Tunku Ismail for his initiative and commitment to transforming Harimau Malaya. "We are truly grateful to His Highness for his constant support, concern and backing in helping us improve the national team. "This is just the beginning of what I believe is a very promising new chapter for Harimau Malaya and Malaysian football as a whole " He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the government for their financial support in strengthening the national squad. "The allocation from the government will no doubt boost the players' morale and drive them to achieve even greater success in the future," he said.
