Harimau Malaya to face Cape Verde in historic friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya will take on Cape Verde for the first time in an international friendly at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on May 29.
World No. 72 Cape Verde are expected to provide a stern test for 131st-ranked Malaysia ahead of their crunch Asian Cup Group F qualifier against Vietnam on June 10.
The Blue Sharks, who reached the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, boast a squad brimming with experience from top leagues across Europe and the United States.
Among their key players are Logan Costa (Villarreal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Gilson Tavares (Akron Tolyatti), Ryan Mendes (Kocaelispor) and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha of GD Chaves.
Rising star Dailon Livramento, currently on the books of Serie A side Hellas Verona, adds youthful spark to their lineup.
Peter Cklamovski's men will lock horns with Cape Verde again in a closed-door training match in Bukit Jalil on June 3.
In a statement, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) said both matches are crucial in preparing the national team for the must-win qualifier against Vietnam.
"These games are designed to give the national team competitive minutes and strategic exposure ahead of the Vietnam match," said FAM.
Malaysia kicked off their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in March, while Vietnam hammered Laos 5-0 in their opener.
Tickets for the Cape Verde and Vietnam matches go on sale from May 12 at www.tickethotline.com.my.
Prices for the Cape Verde game are RM40 (open seating) and RM5 for children aged between five and 12.
For the Vietnam clash, ticket prices are RM40 (open), RM60 (grandstand), RM70 (premium), and RM5 for children.
All tickets will be sold exclusively online.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
Kean to miss Italy qualifers against Norway, Moldova
ITALY will be without Fiorentina striker Moise Kean for their two opening World Cup qualifying matches, away against Norway on Friday and at home against Moldova on Monday, the Italian football federation said. Kean sustained a muscle strain in his right thigh during training on Wednesday, the federation said, adding that he had returned to his club for recovery. The 25-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024-25 with Fiorentina, a club he joined last summer from Juventus, scoring 19 goals to finish second in the Serie A goal scorers' standings. Italy coach Luciano Spalletti will also be without a pair of defenders, Alessandro Buongiorno missing the Norway match through injury while Francesco Acerbi, who was in the Inter Milan side that lost the Champions League final, declined a call-up. Italy, who failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, face a tricky start against Erling Haaland's Norway on Friday before hosting Moldova three days later in Reggio Emilia. Norway lead Group I after winning their two opening matches against Israel and Moldova in March.
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Harimau issue statement after 3-0 loss to Cape Verde
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a closed door match and an eye-opener for the national football team. Malaysia lost 3-0 to Cape Verde at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday, and the game did little to bolster the team's confidence for the Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam. On target for Cape Verde were Dailon Livramento who scored in the 35th and 48th minutes and Heriberto Tavares in the 55th. On May 29, world No. 131 Malaysia drew 1-1 with word No. 72 Cape Verde at the KLFA Stadium. Harimau Malaya said in a statement that the friendlies against the West African nation were to gear up for the match against Vietnam at Bukit Jalil on June 10. "With several players having gone nearly six weeks without competitive football, this training match served a key purpose in providing valuable minutes across the entire squad to focus on match sharpness, conditioning, and improve physical intensity," read the statement. "The match was played in three 30-minute periods to ensure all players saw action — an important part of the national team's build-up to June 10." National coach Peter Cklamovski has called up five overseas-based heritage players — Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal and Joao Figueiredo — to join the centralised training. The new faces are expected to boost the team for the must-win match against bitter rivals Vietnam.
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Italy striker Kean ruled out of World Cup qualifiers
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Nations League - Quarter Final - Second Leg - Germany v Italy - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - March 23, 2025 Italy's Moise Kean reacts after Germany's Jamal Musiala scores their second goal REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/File Photo (Reuters) -Italy manager Luciano Spalletti will have to plan for his side's opening World Cup qualifiers without Moise Kean after the striker left the squad's training camp due to a thigh injury on Thursday. Kean has had the best season of his career, scoring 19 Serie A goals for Fiorentina having failed to find the net once at Juventus in the previous campaign. The 25-year-old started both legs of Italy's Nations League quarter-final against Germany in March and scored twice. Mateo Retegui, last season's top scorer in Serie A, is expected to replace him in the team. Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, begin their Group I qualifying campaign away to Norway on Friday, before hosting Moldova on Monday. Spalletti has also lost midfielder Manuel Locatelli and defender Matteo Gabbia to injury, and Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi withdrew from the squad on Sunday. (Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)
