Latest news with #ACLE
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MFL confident of smooth, problem free 2025/26 Super League season
THE 2025/2026 Super League season is expected to run smoothly without financial issues following the tightening of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) system by the Malaysia Football League (MFL). MFL President Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the implementation of new financial monitoring software through the FFP system will have a significant impact in ensuring that only financially stable teams are eligible to compete. 'We control it through FFP. Previously it was usually six months but now it's three months, we will constantly monitor. But as I said from the beginning, declare your budget. 'That is important, and God willing, I am confident and believe it can be done, there will be no problems (for the 2025/2026 season),' he said after a joint meeting with the State Football Associations (FA) & a meeting with Football Clubs (FC) at Wisma FAM, here, today. According to him, financial monitoring is no longer done periodically as before, but continuously and in real-time through the newly introduced FFP system. Commenting on the issue of signing up to 15 foreign players in one team, which could ensnare clubs in a financial crisis, he explained that each team will be monitored based on their actual capabilities. 'If you can only afford five, then take five. Don't follow your desires. We will advise and control. What's important is that they must honestly declare their budget from the start. We don't want to repeat the same episode every year,' he said. MFL previously announced that they would standardize the player registration limit to 30 for all clubs, including those competing in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2). Previously, ACLE and ACL2 clubs were allowed to register 34 players, while other clubs only 32 players. The same meeting also agreed to allow all clubs to register a maximum of 15 foreign players, with a quota of nine players on the field (including substitutes) consisting of four open, one Asian, and two ASEAN players. The Malaysia League now has a new look with the full implementation of FFP, which limits club salary expenditure to a maximum of 80 percent of their annual budget for the 2025-2026 season.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MFL confident of a smooth and problem free 2025/2026 Super League season
THE 2025/2026 Super League season is expected to run smoothly without financial issues following the tightening of the Financial Fair Play (FFP) system by the Malaysia Football League (MFL). MFL President Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan said the implementation of new financial monitoring software through the FFP system will have a significant impact in ensuring that only financially stable teams are eligible to compete. 'We control it through FFP. Previously it was usually six months but now it's three months, we will constantly monitor. But as I said from the beginning, declare your budget. 'That is important, and God willing, I am confident and believe it can be done, there will be no problems (for the 2025/2026 season),' he said after a joint meeting with the State Football Associations (FA) & a meeting with Football Clubs (FC) at Wisma FAM, here, today. According to him, financial monitoring is no longer done periodically as before, but continuously and in real-time through the newly introduced FFP system. Commenting on the issue of signing up to 15 foreign players in one team, which could ensnare clubs in a financial crisis, he explained that each team will be monitored based on their actual capabilities. 'If you can only afford five, then take five. Don't follow your desires. We will advise and control. What's important is that they must honestly declare their budget from the start. We don't want to repeat the same episode every year,' he said. MFL previously announced that they would standardize the player registration limit to 30 for all clubs, including those competing in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and AFC Champions League 2 (ACL2). Previously, ACLE and ACL2 clubs were allowed to register 34 players, while other clubs only 32 players. The same meeting also agreed to allow all clubs to register a maximum of 15 foreign players, with a quota of nine players on the field (including substitutes) consisting of four open, one Asian, and two ASEAN players. The Malaysia League now has a new look with the full implementation of FFP, which limits club salary expenditure to a maximum of 80 percent of their annual budget for the 2025-2026 season.
Kyodo News
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Kawasaki beat star-studded Al Nassr to reach ACLE final
KYODO NEWS - 17 hours ago - 19:37 | Sports, All Kawasaki Frontale clinched their place in the Asian Champions League Elite final with a dramatic 3-2 victory over star-studded Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr on Wednesday. The J-League side took another step toward becoming champions of Asian club football for the first time thanks to a man-of-the-match performance by Tatsuya Ito at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The 27-year-old forward struck the opener and helped create a second goal for Kawasaki as they outshone an Al Nassr lineup boasting the likes of Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool standout Sadio Mane. "It felt as if I was in a video game for a moment lining up next to Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, (Marcelo) Brozovic and (Mohamed) Simakan," said diminutive attacker Ito, who previously played in the German top tier with Hamburg. "I enjoyed the whole occasion." Having taken 120 minutes to overcome Qatar's Al Sadd 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Shigetoshi Hasebe's men were also coming off one day less rest than Al Sadd, who had brushed aside Yokohama F Marinos 4-1. Young Japan defender Kota Takai had a stellar outing for Kawasaki as he worked to contain the high-powered Al Nassr attack, while Hasebe's bold call to start young attackers Soma Kanda and Yuto Ozeki to press their opposing playmaker Brozovic proved effective. "Stop their No. 11 (Brozovic) was the message," said Hasebe, who made all of his five substitutions by the 70th minute aware of the tough schedule Kawasaki were handed. "Our players could have had cramps after that. It was a gamble." Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi was called into action early in the semifinal, sprawling to his left to deny Colombia international Jhon Duran. Ito opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a superb volley from the edge of the box after Al Nassr defender Simakan headed away Marcinho's cross. Mane made it 1-1 in the 28th minute with a shot that deflected sharply off a defender and left Yamaguchi diving in the wrong direction. Ronaldo hit the woodwork with a header before Kawasaki restored their lead as halftime approached, with Al Nassr keeper Bento Krepski parrying Ito's shot into the path of Ozeki, who fired home with his first touch. Kawasaki forward Erison beat two defenders with his dribble along the byline before setting up 38-year-old veteran Akihiro Ienaga to tap in and make it 3-1 in the 76th minute. Aiman Yahya pulled a late goal back for Al Nassr, but Kawasaki held firm, with Yamaguchi stopping Ronaldo's free kick in injury time to ensure a place in the final against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on Saturday. "I think we can perform even better," said 20-year-old center-back Takai. "I want to make a match-winning contribution (in the final)." Related coverage: Football: Kawasaki edge Al Sadd to reach ACLE semifinals Football: Marinos lose 4-1 to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in ACLE last 8 Football: Kawasaki through, Kobe suffer shock exit in ACLE
Kyodo News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Football: Kawasaki beat star-studded Al Nassr to reach ACLE final
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 12:28 | Sports, All Kawasaki Frontale clinched their place in the Asian Champions League Elite final with a dramatic 3-2 victory over star-studded Saudi Arabian outfit Al Nassr on Wednesday. The J-League side took another step toward becoming champions of Asian club football for the first time thanks to a man-of-the-match performance by Tatsuya Ito at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. The 27-year-old forward struck the opener and helped create a second goal for Kawasaki as they outshone an Al Nassr lineup boasting the likes of Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool standout Sadio Mane. Having taken 120 minutes to overcome Qatar's Al Sadd 3-2 in the quarterfinals on Sunday, Shigetoshi Hasebe's men were also coming off one day less rest than Al Sadd, who had brushed aside Yokohama F Marinos 4-1. Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi was called into action early in the semifinal, sprawling to his left to deny Colombia international Jhon Duran. Ito opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a superb volley from the edge of the box after Al Nassr defender Mohamed Simakan headed away Marcinho's cross. Mane made it 1-1 in the 28th minute with a shot that deflected sharply off a defender and left Yamaguchi diving in the wrong direction. Ronaldo hit the woodwork with a header before Kawasaki restored their lead as halftime approached, with Al Nassr keeper Bento Krepski parrying Ito's shot into the path of Yuto Ozeki, who fired home with his first touch. Kawasaki forward Erison beat two defenders with his dribble along the byline before setting up 38-year-old veteran Akihiro Ienaga to tap in and make it 3-1 in the 76th minute. Aiman Yahya pulled a late goal back for Al Nassr, but Kawasaki held firm, with Yamaguchi stopping Ronaldo's free kick in injury time to ensure a place in the final against Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli on Saturday. Related coverage: Football: Kawasaki edge Al Sadd to reach ACLE semifinals Football: Marinos lose 4-1 to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in ACLE last 8 Football: Kawasaki through, Kobe suffer shock exit in ACLE
New Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Slimmed-down' Super League can still power Malaysia to World Cup
KUALA LUMPUR: A smaller Super League can still produce quality players for the national team, despite growing concerns over its shrinking size. Perak FC last week pulled out of next season's Super League due to financial woes, and several other clubs are reportedly facing similar issues. This could see the current 13-team competition reduced to just eight or ten sides next season. The prospect of a downsized league has raised fears it might weaken the national player pool. But history shows that small leagues can still develop talent capable of shining on the world stage. Countries such as Iceland, Slovenia, and New Zealand — with leagues featuring as few as 10 to 12 teams playing four-round formats — have all qualified for the World Cup. Iceland made it in 2018, Slovenia in 2002 and 2010, and New Zealand in 1982 and 2010. Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland, with similarly compact league systems, also reached the 2010 finals. Football critic Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim said the number of teams is not the main issue, as long as the league meets Asian Football Confederation (AFC) standards to qualify for the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) or ACL II. "I believe the AFC requires leagues to run for at least eight months per season, and clubs must play a minimum of 27 competitive domestic matches," he said. "If there are only eight teams, the league can adopt a four-round format. Several countries do this and their national teams have still played in the World Cup. I don't see why the M-League can't adapt." Zulakbal stressed that while Super League clubs must improve their management and financial stability, the league must go on. "Harimau Malaya need players who are fit and ready for high-intensity international matches," he added. Meanwhile, the First Instance Body (FIB) has extended the deadline for Super League clubs to upload their club licensing documents to May 10. FIB chairman Sheikh Nasir Sheikh Sharif said in a statement today that the decision came after multiple clubs requested more time to complete their documentation. "The FIB committee has agreed to grant an extension to all clubs," he said.
