Harimau Malaya go down 3-0 to Cape Verde in a closed-door friendly
PETALING JAYA: African nation Cape Verde showed why they are world No. 72 in world football after beating Malaysia 3-0 in a closed-door friendly at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday (June 3).
Striker Dailon Livramento, who plies his trade for Serie A club Hellas Verona, was the hero, scoring two goals in the 35th and 48th minutes.
The other goal was scored by Heriberto Tavares in the 55th minute. Tavares also plays in Europe for Israeli club Maccabi Netanya.
In their earlier encounter at the Cheras Football Stadium on May 29, both sides shared the spoils, drawing 1-1.
Malaysia are playing these friendlies to prepare for the all-important 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifying encounter against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Gaza rescuers say at least 10 killed in Israel strikes
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people in the battered Palestinian territory on Thursday as the military keeps up an intensified offensive. 'Ten martyrs so far resulting from Israeli strikes since dawn,' agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding that they had targeted an area where displaced civilians were sheltering in the southern city of Khan Yunis and houses in Gaza City and the central town of Deir el-Balah. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Israel has stepped up its offensive in what it says is a bid to defeat Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attack sparked the war. Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 4,335 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,607, mostly civilians.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Israeli Strikes Kill 10 in Gaza; Aid Sites Closed
GAZA CITY: Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes killed at least 10 people in the battered Palestinian territory on Thursday as the military keeps up an intensified offensive. 'Ten martyrs so far resulting from Israeli strikes since dawn,' agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP, adding that they had targeted an area where displaced civilians were sheltering in the southern city of Khan Yunis and houses in Gaza City and the central town of Deir el-Balah. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. Israel has stepped up its offensive in what it says is a bid to defeat Hamas, whose October 7, 2023 attack sparked the war. Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. According to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, at least 4,335 people have been killed since Israel resumed its offensive on March 18, taking the war's overall toll to 54,607, mostly civilians.
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
There's no room for sentimentalism in Malaysian football
THE national football team have never looked quite like this. The latest squad announcement by national coach Peter Cklamovski for the Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10 has added fresh fuel to an old debate — how much is too much when it comes to naturalised and heritage players? Names like Facundo Garces Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal and Joao Figueiredo may not ring a bell for the average Malaysian football fan yet. All five are foreign-born, eligible through ancestry, and come with experience in tougher, more competitive leagues abroad. Cklamovski, a coach known for his attention to tactical detail and modern playing style, has not been afraid to shake things up since taking the reins. His latest call-ups see the inclusion of five new names — all foreign-born, all eligible to don the Harimau Malaya jersey, and all bringing valuable experience from higher-level competitions abroad. But they're not alone. They join a squad already boasting a well-established international core, including Endrick dos Santos, Dion Cools, Corbin Ong, Matthew Davies, Junior Eldstal, Gabriel Palmero, Stuart Wilkin, Nooa Laine, Hector Hevel and Romel Morales. It's a line-up that look more like a continental club side than a traditional national team and that's precisely what has some fans talking. The question isn't whether these players are good enough, most of them have already proved their worth. The bigger issue, at least among some corners of the footballing public, is whether Malaysia is losing sight of its local footballing identity in the pursuit of progress. But here's the reality. International football has changed. The days when national squads were built purely from domestic academies and local leagues are long gone. Look around the world — from Qatar and Indonesia to even England and France — you'll see teams that have blended their native core with foreign-born talent, often to great success. Malaysia are not an outlier. If anything, they're late to the party. Players like captain Cools, Davies and Dos Santos have already become fan favourites. They've been through the heat of Southeast Asian derbies, endured the scrutiny, and fought for results. They're not tourists, they're professionals who've bought into the badge and the expectations that come with it. Others like Hevel and Wilkin have gradually s ettled into the rhythm of international duty, showing that integration can work when the system is right. That's where Cklamovski comes in. The Australian has set out to build not just a team but a system. One that relies on structure, pressing, transitions, and control. For that, he needs players who understand modern football's demands — mentally, physically and tactically. Vietnam, Harimau Malaya's upcoming opponents, are everything Cklamovski is trying to model — fast, organised, intelligent. To compete, Malaysia can't afford to rely purely on passion or grit. They need technical precision, decision-making under pressure, and squad depth. The blend of players in this latest call-up gives them that, perhaps for the first time in years. Still, the scepticism is understandable. For decades, Malaysian fans have taken pride in watching home-developed players rise through the ranks and earn their place. The sight of a boy from a local field making it to Bukit Jalil is something supporters connect with on an emotional level. That pathway should never be closed, and Cklamovski doesn't appear to be closing it. There are still local-developed players in the mix. Many of the foreign-born players now wear the Malaysian jersey not just because of the eligibility rules, but because they've lived here, played here, and grown within the system. This isn't about replacing local talent, it's about raising standards across the board. Football isn't sentimental; it's ruthless. Malaysia want to compete at the Asian Cup regularly and qualify for the World Cup one day. To do that, they need results, not just romance. Against Vietnam, the pressure will be on. The atmosphere will be intense. But Malaysia go into this battle with options, something that hasn't always been the case. Cklamovski knows what he's doing. He's assembling a squad that can not only challenge the region's best, but push beyond Southeast Asia's glass ceiling. It may not be everyone's vision of a national team, but it just might be the version Malaysia need right now. If it works and results start to follow, the noise will die down. As always in football, winning changes everything.
