Latest news with #AFF
Japan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Times
Japan Football Association planning to join Asia bid for 2046 World Cup
The Japan Football Association is planning to join a bid to host the 2046 FIFA World Cup. If the bid is successful, Japan would host World Cup matches for the first time since the country co-hosted the World Cup with South Korea in 2002. The JFA aims to be part of a joint bid by the East Asian Football Federation, to which the Japanese association belongs, and the ASEAN Football Federation. In March, the two federations agreed to consider hosting a World Cup together. Japan, South Korea and China, as well as Indonesia and Australia, which have abandoned their own plans for co-hosting the 2034 World Cup, have voiced interest in staging matches for the 2046 event. The JFA hopes to host its second World Cup by 2050. The federation also has a goal of winning the tournament for the first time. A World Cup hosted by one country has become increasingly unrealistic due to the event expanding to feature more participants. The 2026 event will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the 2030 tournament will be held in Europe, Africa and South America. The hosting of the massive sporting event is typically rotated between continents, based on FIFA policy. As Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, a JFA official said that the 2046 event "is the most realistic option" for submitting a bid.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Nafuzi's men rue poor finishing after shock loss to Philippines
Non-stop attack: Malaysia's Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (top) battles for the ball with the Philippines goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF U-23 Championship match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were made to rue a string of missed chances as a clinical Philippines side punished them and trooped off with a 2-0 win in their opening Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship Group A game at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. The Harimau Muda could have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when winger Aliff Izwan Yuslan unleashed a stinging left-footed shot from the right, only to be denied by a sharp save from Filipino goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes. But it was the Young Azkals who struck first against the run of play. A swift counter-attack led by Javier Mariona set up striker Otu Abang Banatao, who calmly finished with a poacher's touch in the 13th minute. Malaysia nearly responded in the 19th minute when forward Haqimi Azim Rosli cut in from the left and rifled a shot that beat the keeper but crashed against the post. Despite enjoying 72% of the possession and creating 11 chances in the first half, the Young Tigers lacked the cutting edge to break through. Missed opportunities and a lack of composure in the final third proved costly. Things got worse in the 42nd minute when Banatao doubled the lead, this time latching onto a clever pass from Uriel Dalapo before slotting past helpless Malaysian keeper Zulhilmi Sharani. The 18-year-old striker's brace highlighted the Azkals' ruthless efficiency in front of goal. After the break, Malaysia turned up the intensity, pushing wingbacks higher up the pitch in search of a way back. However, the Filipino defence, marshalled superbly by centreback Gavin Muens, stood tall and unyielding. Coach Nafuzi Zain's men continued to dominate possession but were let down by a lack of creativity and decisiveness in the final third. Frustration grew as the minutes ticked away, with the Filipino backline repelling wave after wave of Malaysian attacks. The result leaves Malaysia with no margin for error. To stand any chance of a strong showing in the competition, they must now beat Brunei on Friday and hosts Indonesia on July 21 – both at the same venue. Nafuzi said ball-watching was the reason why they conceded the two goals but also asserted that his side did try to wrestle the game away from the Philippines. 'In terms of performance, we did well from the first minute to the end. We had our chances. In the first half, we made mistakes in defence,'' said Nafuzi. ''We allowed two easy goals. We didn't give up, we tried, had chances but just could not get it in the back of the net. 'From the beginning, we could see some players didn't settle down. We were ball watching and expecting others to help. I guess that led to the goals.'
New Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Ubaidullah, Haqimi touted as the ones to watch
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Football Federation (AFF) has named centre-back Ubaidullah Shamsul and striker Haqimi Azim Rosli as Malaysia's players to watch at the Asean Under-23 Championship from July 15-29 in Jakarta. Terengganu's Ubaidullah played every minute of the AFF Under-23 Championship two years ago, and also gave a strong showing in last season's Asean Club Championship (ACC). Ubaidullah has impressed with his tackling, positioning and ability to break lines with sharp passes from the back. Though Haqimi was not part of the Under-23 squad in 2023, the KL City striker has earned senior national call-ups and featured in the last two Asean Championships. He also played all five matches for KL City in the ACC, scoring the winner against Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines. Malaysia are drawn in Group A alongside Indonesia, the Philippines and Brunei in the Asean Under-23 Championship.
The Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Ziad feeling all pumped up for U-23 tourney after solid win over Melaka
KUALA LUMPUR: National Under-23 midfielder Ziad El-Basheer Norhisham is brimming with pride and purpose as he gears up for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship in Indonesia from July 15 to 29. Fresh from a spirited training camp and a morale-boosting 4-1 victory over Malaysia's Super League side Melaka at the Cheras Football Stadium on Tuesday, the 21-year-old believes the squad are ready to make a strong statement in Surabaya. 'We've shown that we can bring this kind of spirit to Indonesia,' said the Johor Darul Ta'zim II player. 'We played well, beat a Super League team, and hopefully this momentum will carry us through the tournament.' While the preparation window was short, Ziad insists the team's unity has helped them gel quickly, something he attributes to the atmosphere created by both players and coaching staff. 'It feels like we've been in a long camp. The chemistry is strong and positive. We're close off the field, and on the field there are no issues.' This will be Ziad's second AFF tournament, having previously represented Malaysia at the AFF Under-19 Championship – also held in Indonesia. Coach Nafuzi Zain stressed that fitness is the top priority at this stage, adding that his squad are already showing sharper speed and movement. 'We know the real challenge will be much tougher than our current situation,' he said. Malaysia kick off their Group A campaign against the Philippines on July 15, followed by Brunei on July 18, and wrap up the group stage with a showdown against hosts Indonesia on July 21. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on July 25, with the third-place playoff and final scheduled for July 29.
Barnama
06-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Anwar Meets Vietnamese PM Chinh At BRICS Summit
Both leaders are here in Brazil's second-largest city for the two-day BRICS Leaders' Summit. Anwar was accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz at the meeting. Also present was deputy secretary-general for Bilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani Anwar had met Chinh during the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur last May, as well as during his visit to Hanoi to attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025 in February.
