Asean All-Stars coach praises players' great teamwork in 1-0 upset against Man United
29 May 2025 08:51am
Manchester United FC players react after losing to the Asean All-Stars in the 2025 Maybank Malaysia Challenge Cup match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. - Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR - Asean All-Stars head coach Kim Sang Sik praised his players' great teamwork and attributed it to his side's stunning 1-0 victory over English football giants, Manchester United in the Maybank Challenge Cup at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, yesterday.
Sang Sik said what made the result even more remarkable was that the players had only met 48 hours earlier prior to the match against Ruben Amorim's side. Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after losing to the Asean All-Stars in the 2025 Maybank Malaysia Challenge Cup match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. - Bernama photo
"(But it was) as if they had been teammates for two decades. It was a great match and fantastic performance from the team.
"We were only trained for two days but they played like they were together for 20 years. The team played with real good organisation and we are very happy with the victory,' he told a post-match press conference here yesterday.
Sang Sik also praised the performance of two Malaysian players namely team captain Sergio Aguero and Declan Lambert, who made a strong impression on the pitch.
The Vietnam national team head coach noted that he would closely analyse both players ahead of the upcoming third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where his team is set to face Malaysia on June 10 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Asean All-Star hero Maung Maung, whose 71st minute goal ensured his team won yesterday, described his goal against the 13-time English Premier League champions as a dream that came true.
"This moment is very rare for me, and I would like to dedicate my goal to the Southeast Asia region,' he said.
Manchester United will continue their post-season tour with a game against the Hong Kong national team on May 30 at Hong Kong Stadium. - BERNAMA
More Like This
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Marseille put Rabiot, Rowe on transfer list after alleged dressing room altercation
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Rennes v Olympique Marseille - Roazhon Park, Rennes, France - August 15, 2025 Olympique Marseille's Adrien Rabiot during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo (Reuters) -France midfielder Adrien Rabiot and English winger Jonathan Rowe have been placed on the transfer list by Olympique de Marseille due to "unacceptable behaviour" in the dressing room after last week's Ligue 1 loss at Stade Rennais, the club said on Tuesday. Reports in French media said the two players had an altercation in the dressing room after Friday's 1-0 loss at Rennes, despite the hosts playing most of the game with 10 men. "This decision was taken due to unacceptable behaviour in the dressing room after the match against Stade Rennais FC, in agreement with the technical staff and in accordance with the club's internal code of conduct," Marseille said in a statement. Both Rabiot and Rowe arrived at Marseille last year and played regularly as the club finished second in Ligue 1. "The decision was communicated to the two players by the club on Monday," Marseille added. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ronaldo gets Hong Kong hero's welcome, avoids Messi pitfall
HONG KONG: Cristiano Ronaldo was given a hero's welcome Tuesday as he played a pivotal role for Saudi side Al Nassr in Hong Kong – where great rival Lionel Messi became public enemy number one last year for failing to play. The 40-year-old former Manchester United and Real Madrid ace Ronaldo got an assist in a 2-1 Saudi Super Cup win over Al Ittihad, who had French veteran Karim Benzema up front. "Ronaldo, Ronaldo," rang out from the moment that he came out to warm up on a sweltering and damp evening in southern China, where several pitch invaders unsuccessfully tried to get to the superstar at the end. Cheers went up every time that the Portuguese captain, wearing his trademark number seven shirt, touched the ball. It was all a far cry from the rabid reaction Messi sparked when he remained on the bench for an Inter Miami friendly at the same Hong Kong Stadium in February last year. The Argentine wizard's no-show drew boos and calls for refunds from thousands of fans who had paid large sums to see the World Cup-winning captain play. The 38-year-old said he was injured but that failed to quell a spectacular fallout that saw China cancel two friendly matches featuring Argentina. Some nationalist politicians and outlets in China interpreted Messi's absence – and his subsequent appearance at a similar match in Japan – as a snub. Messi and Ronaldo have duelled it out for more than 15 years for the unofficial title of best player in the world, although the Argentine is generally regarded to have got the upper hand in recent years. Both remain massively popular and marketable even in the twilight of their careers, with fans camping outside Ronaldo's hotel in Hong Kong to catch a glimpse of him. Some even booked rooms in his hotel and a museum dedicated to him opened in the city last month. Local media said that Ronaldo was "emotional" when told during a brief appearance there this week about the local interest, especially from younger fans. "This means more to me than any trophy," he was quoted as saying. Former Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane put Al Nassr ahead before Al Ittihad struck back soon after. Mane was sent off after 25 minutes following a VAR review. Ronaldo had a couple of sniffs at goal six minutes before the break but was denied on both occasions, then he fizzed a free-kick narrowly over the bar. He set up the winner, pulling clear of the Al Ittihad defence and squaring it for fellow Portuguese Joao Felix, the new signing from Chelsea, to slot in. A young fan with a "7 Ronaldo" shirt invaded the pitch as the veteran was subbed off in the last minute but security foiled the youngster's attempt to get a selfie with him. Two more young fans were wrestled to the ground after the final whistle when they invaded the pitch and made a beeline for Ronaldo.
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
RM100,000 boost for RXZ Members 7.0 activities in Terengganu
KUALA LUMPUR: The initial allocation of RM100,000 to support the organisation of RXZ Members 7.0 2025 Programme will be fully utilised to ensure that the event runs smoothly, safely, and has a high impact. Programme director Mohd Lukhman Nooralazhar expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the allocation. He said they will also ensure that the programme brings significant benefits to the people while uplifting the nation's image. 'This also serves as a motivational boost to the organisers, participants, and motorcycle enthusiasts to make this event a success, which is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors nationwide. 'We believe the government's support not only elevates RXZ Members 7.0 as a national iconic event, but also provides economic benefit to the local community through the tourism, hospitality, food, and retail sectors,' he said when contacted by Bernama today. Yesterday, Anwar announced the funding for the RXZ Members 7.0 2025 Programme, set to take place on Aug 23 at the Gong Badak Motorsport Circuit in Terengganu. The Prime Minister said the government's support recognises the motoring community as a catalyst for unity, strengthening relationships, and significantly contributing to local economic development through various impactful activities. Activities scheduled for the two-day event include the RXZ Members Talk Programme with Ustaz Azhar Idrus, merchandise and food stalls, as well as lucky draws for motorcycles and Umrah packages. Also featured will be a Motorshow and Dyno Battle competition, a Celebrity and Influencer Convoy to RXZ Members, including Rosyam Nor, Pablo Amirul, and professional motorcycle racer Wazi Abdul Hamid. In addition, various performances by local artistes, including Zamani from Slam, will take place, while the closing ceremony will be enlivened with the raising of the Jalur Gemilang, as well as prize-giving ceremonies for competitions and the RXZ Members 7.0 2025 grand prize. Meanwhile, Wazi, the former national motor racing champion, said the funding would benefit motorsport enthusiasts and encourage domestic tourism in Terengganu. 'Perhaps the government views this from a different perspective to ensure the continuity of the programme, but the organisation of this event needs to be further refined to avoid incidents that occurred in previous editions,' he said. He urged motorsport fans to take advantage of the government's support to ensure their gatherings are beneficial while also shaping themselves into courteous and responsible motorcyclists on the road. – Bernama
