Harimau issue statement after 3-0 loss to Cape Verde
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Training camp up north ideal, but U-23 team incomplete without three key players
PETALING JAYA: When Malaysia Under-23 football team coach Nafuzi Zain looks at his squad settling into camp in Bangkok, he sees both an opportunity and a challenge. While the training camp in Thailand is the perfect platform to prepare for the upcoming 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers, Nafuzi won't have some of his most important players at his disposal - at least not yet. 'I want to thank FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) for organising this camp in Thailand to prepare us well for the qualifiers,' Nafuzi said. 'We've got players from the A1 League and the Super League, and I appreciate the coaches who released them for us.' However, three key players - Terengganu centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili, Selangor winger Alif Izwan Yuslan and Sabah striker Fergus Tierney remain with their clubs, who are reluctant to release them outside of the FIFA international window. 'They're key men for their clubs now, so we understand. But we're also hopeful they will be released for national duty. 'We know their quality, and they've played with the boys we've selected before.'' Nafuzi's charges are in Group G, which pits them against Thailand, Lebanon and Mongolia. All the matches will be staged at the BG Stadium in Pathum Thani, with only group winners assured of a ticket to Saudi Arabia. For now, Nafuzi has shifted his focus to two friendlies against Kuwait and Oman in Bangkok. For him, they are more than just warm-up games - they are a rehearsal for the intensity Malaysia will face in their opening qualifier against Lebanon. 'Lebanon are a good side, and all the teams we're up against are tough. These games will test us, and that's what we need. It won't be easy, but we will try our best.' The AFF U-23 Championship in July this year left scars but also provided valuable lessons. Malaysia fell short in the group stages, while Thailand finished third in the competition - despite not fielding several of their main playersr. 'That tournament gave me a view of the game, and it made me learn and plan better for the qualifiers. We still have a lot to improve on,' said Nafuzi.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Nafuzi's boys hope to learn from Asean flop
KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 coach Nafuzi Zain is banking on the harsh lessons from the recent Asean Championship to fuel his squad's rebuilding ahead of the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers in Thailand later this month. Nafuzi's preparations have been complicated by the absence of three key players, Fergus Tierney, Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili and Alif Izwan Yuslan, who have not been released by their Super League clubs. "These three are key players, but they couldn't join us at this stage," said Nafuzi. "We understand the clubs' situation because these players are important to them right now. Hopefully, by the Fifa window (Sept 1-9), we will be able to use them." While Nafuzi admitted their absence leaves a gap, his focus is on the squad he does have, a youthful side that fell short at the Asean Championship last month. Malaysia managed only one win in the group stage, beating Brunei 7-1, but defeat to the Philippines (2-0) and a draw with Indonesia (0-0) saw them crash out early. "There are many things we need to improve, but these are young players, and maturity is something we are still lacking," said Nafuzi. "The Asean Championship gave us a chance to observe, learn, and gain international exposure, to see how other countries play. That experience will help us prepare better this time."
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Two 'home' grounds for Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya will have the rare experience of calling two different stadiums "home" next month when they take on Singapore and Palestine in international friendlies. The FA of Malaysia (FAM), in a statement on its official social media, confirmed that Peter Clamovski's men will face traditional rivals Singapore on Sept 4 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, before shifting base to the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor to play Palestine on Sept 8. "Our national team will play two high-level matches at two different venues, offering valuable preparation ahead of upcoming competitions. See you there!" FAM posted. The September fixtures will serve as vital tune-ups for Malaysia's next challenge in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where they have been drawn in Group F alongside Laos, Vietnam and Nepal. Malaysia continue their campaign away to Laos on Oct 9 at the New Laos National Stadium in Vientiane, before hosting the same opponents five days later. Cklamovski's side will then travel to Kathmandu to face Nepal on Nov 18, a match that could prove crucial in determining the group standings.
