Justin powers into Macau Open final after gritty win
He will now face either Indonesia's Alwi Farhan or India's Lakshya Sen in the title match on Sunday (Aug 2).
Playing at the Macau East Asian Games Dome, Justin carried high hopes of reaching his first final of the year after a string of inconsistent performances in previous tournaments and he finally did it.
Justin, ranked 45th in the world and just two spots above Tharun, did not have it easy though as the Indian played aggressively to take the opening game.
However, the Malaysian regrouped in the second game to force a decider, and after a gruelling 81-minute battle, Justin emerged victorious with a 19-21, 21-16, 21-16 win.
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The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Justin eyeing for more good run after overtaking Zii Jia in world ranking
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The Star
2 hours ago
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FROM the 1950s to the 1980s, Malaysia was a football powerhouse in Asia. Our national team not only held its own against regional rivals like South Korea, but often outplayed them. Icons such as Mokhtar Dahari, Soh Chin Aun, Hassan Sani, Santokh Singh, and the legendary goalkeeper R. Arumugam who famously known as the 'Spiderman' were admired across the continent. Back then, Japan was far from being a footballing threat. Today, however, the story has flipped entirely. South Korea and Japan are now among Asia's elite, regularly qualifying for World Cups and producing players who star in Europe's top leagues. Meanwhile, Malaysia struggles to dominate even within Southeast Asia, relying heavily on naturalised players to boost the national team a strategy that has delivered underwhelming results. At the heart of this decline lies a stark difference in vision and commitment. 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Another uncomfortable truth is the influence of race and religion in the management and selection process within Malaysian football. While not always explicit, there is a widespread perception that these factors sometimes outweigh merit in team selection and administrative decisions. This undermines trust in the system and alienates talented players from minority communities. During the golden era of Malaysian football, players like R. Arumugam, of Indian descent, were national heroes. Today, such representation is rarer not because the talent isn't there, but because of systemic barriers. Football should be a force for unity, not division. In multicultural Malaysia, our diversity should be a strength we celebrate, not an obstacle to overcome. The quality of a country's domestic league plays a crucial role in shaping its national team. The J-League and K-League are professionally run, stable, and commercially successful, with clear links to youth development. Malaysian football, however, continues to suffer from mismanagement. Issues such as unpaid wages, poor club governance, and inconsistent league structures create an unprofessional environment that hinders player growth. Without a strong, competitive domestic league, it's nearly impossible to produce players capable of performing on the international stage. Another major gap lies in international exposure. Japanese and South Korean players often move to Europe as teenagers, gaining vital experience in top leagues and adapting to the physical and mental demands of elite football. These early experiences help them grow into disciplined, tactically astute professionals. Malaysian players, by contrast, rarely play abroad. When they do, many struggle to adapt and return home prematurely. This is not just a matter of skill, but also mindset. Young players in Japan and Korea grow up dreaming of playing in the Bundesliga or La Liga. 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Arumugam are reminders of what we once were and what we can be again. With clear vision, inclusive leadership, and a relentless commitment to reform, Malaysian football can return to glory. But the journey starts not with shortcuts, but with honest reflection and the willingness to rebuild from the ground up. ‒ Aug 5, 2025 R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd (ARRESCON), a think tank specialising on strategic national and geo-political matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: mStar
