Inter Miami Hit by Injuries Ahead of Club World Cup Opener
INTER MIAMI will have to rely heavily on Lionel Messi's firepower as they prepare for Saturday's Club World Cup opener against Al-Ahly, with coach Javier Mascherano forced to re-shuffle his backline due to a string of injuries.
Fullback Jordi Alba, fellow defender Gonzalo Lujan and defensive midfielder Yannick Bright have all been ruled out of the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium.
'They are not available for this game, hopefully they will be for the second game,' Mascherano told a press conference on Friday.
Alba, one of Messi's former Barcelona teammates, is sidelined with a hamstring issue.
There were also concerns regarding the fitness of centre back David Martinez.
'David had some kind of pain yesterday and we did not want to take any risks,' said Mascherano.
'The reality is that throughout the season, the team have dealt with injuries, but the players who stepped in rose to the challenge. That gives us peace of mind,' he said.
Miami have conceded 16 goals in their last six competitive games.
Much of Miami's chances rest on Messi's shoulders.
'He's in good shape this season. There were moments when we had to give him some time to rest, but he's played the last 15 games, except for the match against Dallas when we rested the entire squad,' said Mascherano.
'We were also fortunate he was able to rest during Argentina's last two games,' he added referring to Messi playing 111 minutes in Argentina's World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia earlier this month.
'It's our responsibility to create the right environment for him to shine.'
Miami will also take on Porto and Palmeiras in the 32-club competition.
Al Ahly coach Jose Riveiro, who took charge last month following the departure of Marcel Koller, believes Messi still has what it takes to shine.
'He is a player who can turn the game around at every moment. He's a player you cannot forget at any moment,' Riveiro told a press conference.
'His skill has always been his vision of the game and that has not changed. He is not a coach but he guides the players around him, he's surrounded with young talent.'
Al Ahly have won four the last six African Champions League titles. S
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Heart And Soul: Nostalgic memories of a thrilling hockey match 50 years ago
Do you have any real-life, heart-warming stories to share with readers? We'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story within 900 words. Photos are optional and should be in JPEG format (file size about 1MB, with caption and photo credit). There is no payment for stories, and we reserve the right to edit all submissions. Email your story to: lifestyle@ with the subject "Heart and Soul". Fifty years have passed since Kuala Lumpur hosted the 3rd Hockey World Cup from March 1 to 15, 1975. Although the dates were chosen for the expected dry season, frequent evening rains forced several matches to be rescheduled to the mornings to keep the tournament on track. While studying at Tunku Abdul Rahman College and using the Catholic High School premises in the afternoons, I often watched morning games at the Tenaga Nasional Berhad grounds in Jalan Pantai. One unforgettable moment was the simple yet striking opening ceremony on March1 at Merdeka Stadium – especially the Netherlands squad, who marched with vibrant orange umbrellas. Before taking their positions on the field, the Netherlands squad cleverly folded their vibrant orange umbrellas and arranged them to form the letters K and L – a striking tribute to Kuala Lumpur that delighted the crowd and showcased their creativity. The opening ceremony on March 1 was followed by the curtain-raiser match between host nation Malaysia and New Zealand. Malaysia was drawn into Pool A alongside Pakistan, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and New Zealand, while Pool B featured India, Australia, West Germany, England, Argentina and Ghana. All matches were played on natural grass – artificial turf had yet to make its debut in the was a proud moment to see R. Pathmarajah from my home state of Pahang playing on the left flank for Malaysia – naturally, my cousin Rajan and I were cheering him on. The opening match ended in a scoreless draw – a solid start for the host nation. The most unforgettable match was Malaysia's 2–1 victory over defending champions the Netherlands at the TNB ground – a morning thriller witnessed by a record crowd of 12,000. Captain Sri Shanmuganathan sealed the win with a short corner goal just a minute before the final whistle. Malaysia secured second place in their group and a well-earned spot in the semi-finals. Due to bad weather, the semi-finals were rescheduled to the morning and played at Merdeka Stadium before a crowd of 40,000. Malaysia fought valiantly but narrowly lost 2–1 to India – a bittersweet end to a courageous World Cup campaign that made the nation proud. On Saturday, March 15, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in a sunlit final at a packed Merdeka Stadium. Malaysia's own G. Vijayanathan, then the world's top umpire, officiated alongside France's Alan Renaud – a proud moment for the country. In a gripping match, India edged out Pakistan 2–1 to claim the title. It was a truly unforgettable 15 days of world-class hockey in 1975 – a sporting spectacle still vivid in my memory, even after half a century. I feel fortunate to have witnessed it firsthand. The brilliance of our men's hockey team in 1975, along with the football team's Olympic qualification in Munich 1972, remain among Malaysia's proudest sporting moments. In hindsight, had today's teams carried the same spirit and cohesion, we might still be a formidable force – rather than merely reliving past glories.
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- New Straits Times
AFC under fire over Saudi, Qatar hosting World Cup qualifiers
KUALA LUMPUR: Tensions are mounting across the continent after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed Qatar and Saudi Arabia as hosts for the fourth round of World Cup qualifiers — sparking backlash from Indonesia, Iraq, Oman and the UAE. The centralised playoff format, involving six teams, will run from Oct 8-14, with the two group winners earning direct spots at the 2026 World Cup. The runners-up will then contest an inter-confederation playoff in a two-legged tie on Nov 13 and 18. "The AFC has confirmed the Qatar FA (QFA) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the host member associations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers," read an AFC statement on Saturday. However, the announcement has stirred controversy, with several qualified teams raising concerns over the lack of neutrality in choosing host countries that are also participants in the playoffs. The Oman FA (OFA) was among the first to criticise the decision, stressing that no team should enjoy home advantage and calling for fairness and transparency. "The OFA stresses the importance of adopting transparency and fairness in all stages of organising continental and international tournaments," the statement read. Meanwhile, the Iraq FA (IFA) said it was among the first to submit a formal bid via AFC's online platform, complete with full logistical and technical documentation. In a follow-up letter dated June 7, the IFA reiterated its commitment and requested the matches be staged at neutral venues. "Holding the playoffs on the home soil of any participating team could compromise competitive balance," the IFA said. The UAE FA also echoed the sentiment, stressing that transparency should guide AFC's decisions. "The selection process must comply with the regulations and statutes that guarantee the rights of all national teams," said the UAE FA. Indonesia joined the calls for clarification this week after securing their place in the final round with a 1-0 win over China. Team manager Ahmed Zaki told local media that the Indonesia FA (PSSI) would be seeking clarification from the AFC. "Fourth-round matches should be held at neutral venues," said Zaki, adding that nations such as Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan and Jordan would be more appropriate hosts. Former Indonesia striker Bambang Nurdiansyah backed Iraq's protest, while current head coach Patrick Kluivert took a more diplomatic stance. "I don't have a problem with the venue, as long as it meets quality standards," said Kluivert in an interview with Bolasport. Despite the AFC's confirmation, rumblings persist. Reports have surfaced suggesting the confederation may now be reconsidering its decision. Five alternative host countries are believed to be under review — with Malaysia and Kuwait considered front-runners, alongside Bahrain, Jordan and Thailand. The official draw for the playoff groups is scheduled for July 17. But with four of the six qualified nations questioning the legitimacy of the current hosting arrangements, it remains to be seen whether the AFC will stand firm or bow to mounting pressure for neutrality.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Sarjit's men wary of Pakistan's drag flick threat in Nations Cup opener
KUALA LUMPUR: The Nations Cup marks the national men's hockey team's first tournament of the season, and Sarjit Singh's men will be eager to make a statement in front of their home fans. World No. 13 Malaysia open their Group B campaign against former world and Olympic champions Pakistan (ranked No. 15) at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. The other teams in the group are world No. 12 New Zealand and No. 16 Japan. Sarjit is using the tournament as a key platform to assess his side ahead of the Asia Cup in August, which offers a World Cup spot to the champions. The Speedy Tigers head into the competition in high spirits after strong preparations, including playing tours in Australia and South Korea. In seven matches in Perth, Malaysia edged Western Australia 2-1, lost 6-0 to Australia A, and suffered 5-2, 4-1, and 6-1 defeats to the full-strength Australian national team, while managing a 4-4 draw in the final game. Against world No. 14 South Korea, Malaysia impressed with back-to-back 4-1 wins, followed by two draws (5-5, 1-1) and a 4-2 defeat in the fifth and final encounter — scoring 16 goals and conceding 12 over five matches. Malaysia have faced Pakistan 38 times since the 1968 Mexico Olympics, winning just five and drawing 13. Last year, they lost 5-4 to the Green Shirts at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup but held them to 4-4 and 2-2 draws at the Nations Cup and Asian Champions Trophy. Malaysia's last victory over Pakistan came in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy — a 3-1 win. Pakistan, however, are no longer the powerhouse they once were, hampered by limited funding and development back home. On Sunday, they'll be banking on star drag flicker Sufyan Khan, who has netted 24 goals in 48 matches since 2022. The defender — who turned out for Matador Club in this year's Malaysia Hockey League, scoring 17 goals — also struck against Malaysia in all three meetings last year. National captain Marhan Jalil admitted there's added pressure playing on home soil. "There is always pressure playing in a tournament, but it's even more intense when you're at home," said Marhan. "We need to play a disciplined game from the first whistle to the final hooter. "The first match is key. A win would lift our motivation and improve our chances of reaching the semi-finals. "We know Pakistan have a quality drag flicker in Sufyan, so we must avoid conceding penalty corners." Pakistan coach Tahir Zaman is expecting a high-tempo clash. "Malaysia are stronger on home ground. We're focused on playing good, disciplined hockey — that's our target," said Tahir. "We want to play exciting, attractive hockey. Every team wants to win this tournament and so do we. "We're not looking at past records. The game has changed, world rankings have changed. We just hope everything goes well for us tomorrow." Meanwhile, Malaysia suffered a 3-0 defeat in a friendly against Wales at Bukit Jalil on Friday. Sunday's fixtures (June 15) Group A: France vs S. Korea (2pm), S. Africa vs Wales (4pm) * All matches at the National Hockey Stadium, Bukit Jalil.
