Tang Jie-Ee Wei oust Euro champs to reach Indonesia Open semis
KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei showed great resilience to battle past Denmark's Jesper Toft-Amalie Magelund and book their spot in the Indonesia Open semi-finals on Friday.
The world No. 4 fought back from a game down to prevail 17-21, 21-16, 21-14 in a tightly contested quarter-final - their first-ever meeting with the world No. 8 reigning European champions.
It is the Malaysian pair's third semi-final of the season after earlier runs at the Malaysia Open and India Open in January.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
9 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Brazil-born Figueiredo thrilled by reception from Malaysian fans
KUALA LUMPUR: The man from the Western Hemisphere will never forget his Malaysia debut. Joao Figueiredo scored a goal against Vietnam and was named Man of the Match in an Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium yesterday. The 29-year-old proved to be a life wire for Malaysia upfront with his tremendous work-rate, and sparked a 4-0 win over Vietnam in their Group F match. The Brazil-born striker, who currently plays for Turkish club, Istanbul Basakşehir, was delighted with the reception from Malaysian fans at Bukit Jalil. He described it as "unforgettable". "I'm very happy, I've dreamt of this moment for a long time, but the most important thing was not my goal, it was to win, to follow our target. Our team performance was very good, but we can improve. I'm very happy to be here, I'm very proud," said Figueiredo. "From day one, I've been warmly welcomed by everyone here. Playing in front of more than 60,000 fans at the stadium was an incredible experience. Bukit Jalil will always be in my memory. "We've only been together for two weeks, but I believe we'll grow stronger from here. This is only the first step," added Figueiredo, who helped Malaysia end a 11-year winless run against Vietnam.
New Straits Times
12 hours ago
- New Straits Times
We can't fund everything, choose tournaments carefully, Yeoh tells NSAs
KUALA LUMPUR: The fate of the Malaysia Cup squash tournament, scheduled for Aug 17-23 this year, remains uncertain as the organisers are struggling to raise funds to host the event. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh stressed that the government has limitations when it comes to helping fund the organisation of local tournaments and urged national sports associations (NSAs) to pick and choose their events wisely. "We always want to try our best to assist, however, we feel that associations also have to play their part," said Yeoh yesterday (June 10). "The association must clearly plan how many events they want to do each year and determine which one is their priority. "We have been supporting squash for other tournaments." Yeoh, however, urged the organisers of the Malaysia Cup to speak to the ministry's secretariat for possible assistance. "We have matching grants (to support the organisation of events) but it does not cover 100 per cent of the costs involved to organise the event," she added. "It is a 50-50 split which means both the government and association must play their part. "With every grant there are papers you have to submit (which takes time to process and approve). I am not sure if there is enough time. "These are all logistical challenges. If they speak to our secretariat, I know our secretary-general (Dr K. Nagulendran) will try his best to help them." PSA have given ACE Sports and Management - organisers of the Malaysia Cup - until the end of next month to secure sponsorship. They need roughly RM1.5 million to run the event. The Ministry's Sports Matching Grant programme offers grants of up to 50 per cent of the costs to organise an event, with a ceiling of RM1 million. The Malaysia Cup, formerly known as the Malaysia Open, was first held in 1975. It is one of two major tournaments held in Malaysia over the years, alongside the Kuala Lumpur Open. The Malaysia Cup competition, which has been held at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara since 2007, has played an important role in aiding the development of Malaysian players over the years. It is seen as an important tournament to help boost Malaysia's preparations for an assault on the podium at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when squash will make its Olympic debut. Squash legend Datuk Nicol David has won the tournament a total of eight times. Malaysia's current top players Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari have also won the tournament previously.
New Straits Times
15 hours ago
- New Straits Times
As Harimau roar, the rest of Asia better pay attention
WHEN a tiger tears apart a Golden Star, it's a sign Malaysian football is roaring back to life. Peter Cklamovski made an emphatic statement in just his third official game in charge, as a revamped Harimau Malaya thrashed regional powerhouse Vietnam 4-0 in front of more than 60,000 roaring fans at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. It wasn't just a win, it was a warning. A bold declaration that Malaysia are back in business. Not since 2014 had Malaysia beaten Vietnam, and never in such brutal fashion. The Golden Star Warriors, reigning Asean Cup champions and long-time regional giants, were left shell-shocked. With this result, Malaysia are virtually assured of a place at the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. But more than qualification, this felt like the start of something special. There was plenty of scepticism in the lead-up. Questions swirled around the late inclusion of a clutch of newly cleared heritage players, Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Facundo Garces, and second-half substitute Imanol Machuca, all receiving FIFA clearance just hours before kick-off. But on the pitch, there was no sign of hesitation. No sign of rust. No sign they'd just arrived. They played like they belonged. Figueiredo and Holgado didn't just score, they celebrated like born-and-bred Malaysians, pumping fists and pointing to the badge. Their passion was matched by their quality. At the back, Garces and Irazabal brought much-needed steel and composure, forming a wall Vietnam couldn't breach. Machuca, when introduced, added flair and pace. The foreign-born contingent didn't just boost the squad, they transformed it. Yet despite the debutants grabbing headlines, it was Arif Aiman Hanapi who shone brightest. The Johor Darul Ta'zim winger, far from being overshadowed, was the best player on the pitch. He tore through the Vietnamese defence, created two goals with electric pace and precision, and reminded everyone that local talent can still set the standard. This was no fluke. Malaysia were aggressive, structured and ruthless. The Tigers didn't just outplay Vietnam, they dominated them. From the first whistle, they looked hungrier, sharper and far more organised. Vietnam, usually composed and compact, were reduced to chasing shadows. Malaysia made them look like minnows. And the scary part? Harimau Malaya are only just getting started. If Cklamovski keeps this group fit and firing, more teams will fall. The energy, belief and tactical discipline were all there, and the squad depth has never looked better. But the Australian tactician should keep his focus tight. His job is to build the team and unify the camp. That includes making friends, not enemies with all stakeholders, including the media. He's here to evolve Malaysian football, and winning allies off the pitch will be just as vital. Why would any Malaysian want him and Harimau Malaya to fail? Tuesday also marked a turning point: nine of Malaysia's starting XI were heritage players. A first for the nation. A reality some old-school fans might struggle with. Gone are the days of the traditional "Ali, Ah Chong and Muthu" line-up. Modern football demands new thinking. National identity isn't diluted by diverse roots. It's defined by shared ambition and passion. The badge matters more than birthplace. If Tuesday proved anything, it's that these players are all-in for Malaysia. Still, there's a caveat. Heritage or naturalised stars offer a quick fix, but the long game lies in the grassroots. Development programmes must not be sidelined. Investment in youth academies, school systems and talent scouting is still the backbone of true progress. Japan offered a masterclass on the same night, fielding an all-local side, not their best squad, to demolish a heritage-laden Indonesia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier. That's the gold standard. That's the long-term vision Malaysia must aim for. But right now? This win matters. This performance matters. It's been a long road of mediocrity and fleeting optimism. This feels different. Cklamovski has brought structure, belief and modern ideas. And the players — whether born in Johor or Rosario — are buying in. Malaysia aren't just back, they're dangerous. And as Vietnam found out the hard way, when a tiger has teeth and purpose, even giants fall. Harimau Malaya roared, and the rest of Asia had better pay attention.
