Dominic, Aguero Out Of ASEAN All-Stars Friendly Against Red Devils
PETALING JAYA, April 23 (Bernama) -- Of the three national players called up to join the ASEAN All-Stars for the May 28 friendly against English Premier League giants Manchester United, only Perak FC goalkeeper Muhammad Haziq Nadzli has been given the green light.
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), however, have not released defender Dominic Tan and striker Sergio Aguero as they are required to attend the Harimau Malaya squad's centralised training camp during that period, in preparation for the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group F match against Vietnam on June 10.
FAM president Datuk Mohd Joehari Mohd Ayub said that they have, instead, proposed the names of five other national-level players to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) as alternatives.
bootstrap slideshow
"The AFF did ask for three national players prepared to play (against Manchester United) but that is also the time the (Harimau Malaya) team will be preparing (for the Asian Cup Qualifiers). So, only one (name) got the nod.
"We have proposed five other names as alternatives… players who are of international standard and who have represented the national squad before, with one of them being Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee,' he said.
He told reporters this when met at the Malaysian Football League (MFL)-FAM-Amateur Football League (AFL) Raya Open House at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya here today.
Tickets for the ASEAN All-Stars' friendly against the Red Devils, to be played at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, have been selling briskly, with 45,000 snapped up as of last Friday.
The last time United played in Malaysia was during the 2009 pre-season tour, beating Malaysia XI twice, 3-2 and 2-0, respectively on July 18 and 20 at the National Stadium.
The 13-time EPL champions are also scheduled to travel to Hong Kong as part of their pre-season tour to play against the Hong Kong national team at the Hong Kong Stadium on May 30.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Ronaldo Calls for Patience with Yamal Ahead of Nations League
PORTUGAL captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged he was 'another generation' to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal but said Sunday's Nations League final was more than just a battle between the duo. The final in Munich has been framed as a showdown between veteran Ronaldo, 40, one of the game's biggest names, and 17-year-old Yamal, the most exciting young talent in world football. Ronaldo scored the winner to send Portugal past Germany into the final and Yamal was named man-of-the-match after bagging a brace in Spain's wild 5-4 semi-final win over France. Ronaldo however said the focus on the two individuals was overblown, calling Spain 'maybe the best national team in the world'. 'There are different generations, one is coming in and another is exiting the stage. If you want to see me as another generation, then that's OK. 'When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that's not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it's one team versus another team.' 'You've been talking about Lamine a lot and you're right to do so because he's very good,' Ronaldo told journalists, adding 'but I'd like to talk about the team. 'They've got Nico Williams, great midfielders like Pedri and their coach (Luis) de la Fuente is very good, very strong, very disciplined.' 'Funny hair' Portugal last beat their Iberian neighbours in a competitive fixture in 21 years ago at Euro 2024, a match which Ronaldo started. Like Yamal, Ronaldo burst onto the scene at a young age. Aged just 18, Ronaldo impressed so much for boyhood side Sporting in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in a friendly in Lisbon that the English club decided to buy him, bringing him to Old Trafford less than a week later. Like a young Ronaldo, Yamal has consistently impressed since bursting onto the scene, winning a league and cup double with Barcelona this season after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany last summer. The Portuguese veteran asked media to allow the teenager to grow and improve without pressure, reminding them the Spanish star 'with funny hair' was just 'three years older than my son'. 'The kid has been doing very well, but what I ask is for you to let him grow, not put him under pressure. For the good of football, we need to let him grow in his own way and enjoy the talent he has.' Both Spain and Portugal have already won the Nations League. Spain are the current champions from their win in 2023, while Portugal won the inaugural tournament back in 2019.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Spain-Portugal final more than just Cristiano vs Yamal says Ronaldo
PORTUGAL captain Cristiano Ronaldo acknowledged he was 'another generation' to Spain starlet Lamine Yamal but said Sunday's Nations League final was more than just a battle between the duo. The final in Munich has been framed as a showdown between veteran Ronaldo, 40, one of the game's biggest names, and 17-year-old Yamal, the most exciting young talent in world football. Ronaldo scored the winner to send Portugal past Germany into the final and Yamal was named man-of-the-match after bagging a brace in Spain's wild 5-4 semi-final win over France. Ronaldo however said the focus on the two individuals was overblown, calling Spain 'maybe the best national team in the world'. 'There are different generations, one is coming in and another is exiting the stage. If you want to see me as another generation, then that's OK. 'When you talk about a clash between Cristiano and someone else, that's not how it works. The media always try to hype things up, which is a normal thing, but it's one team versus another team.' 'You've been talking about Lamine a lot and you're right to do so because he's very good,' Ronaldo told journalists, adding 'but I'd like to talk about the team. 'They've got Nico Williams, great midfielders like Pedri and their coach (Luis) de la Fuente is very good, very strong, very disciplined.' 'Funny hair' Portugal last beat their Iberian neighbours in a competitive fixture in 21 years ago at Euro 2024, a match which Ronaldo started. Like Yamal, Ronaldo burst onto the scene at a young age. Aged just 18, Ronaldo impressed so much for boyhood side Sporting in a 3-1 win over Manchester United in a friendly in Lisbon that the English club decided to buy him, bringing him to Old Trafford less than a week later. Like a young Ronaldo, Yamal has consistently impressed since bursting onto the scene, winning a league and cup double with Barcelona this season after lifting the Euro 2024 title in Germany last summer. The Portuguese veteran asked media to allow the teenager to grow and improve without pressure, reminding them the Spanish star 'with funny hair' was just 'three years older than my son'. 'The kid has been doing very well, but what I ask is for you to let him grow, not put him under pressure. For the good of football, we need to let him grow in his own way and enjoy the talent he has.' Both Spain and Portugal have already won the Nations League. Spain are the current champions from their win in 2023, while Portugal won the inaugural tournament back in 2019.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Dutch-born footballer impressed by Malaysia's Super League
KUALA LUMPUR: The Netherlands-born playmaker, Hector Hevel, is impressed by the standard of Malaysia's Super League. The 29-year-old said the competition was better than he expected. Hevel, who recently debuted for Harimau Malaya, confirmed he will be signing for Johor Darul Ta'zim following his stint in Portugal with Portimonense. "You can tell the quality of the Super League by the local boys in the national team," said Hevel. "They have a certain level and most of them play in the Super League, so it says something about the quality here." Hevel, whose grandfather is from Melaka, has featured in top-flight football across Europe. Still, he noted that the Super League here holds its own in terms of competitiveness and technical ability. "Maybe the rhythm is a little faster in Europe, but overall, football is football," he said. "Every country has its own style. What matters is how well teams execute their ideas." Hevel made an instant impact on debut for Malaysia, scoring against Nepal in Harimau Malaya's opening Asian Cup qualifying match in March. His performance quickly endeared him to fans and showed that he could be a key figure for both club and country. Hevel will be counted upon to lead Malaysia's midfield against Vietnam in an Asian Cup qualifier in Bukit Jalil on June 10.
