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The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Plotting victory over Vietnam
Healthy challenge: Winger Safawi Rasid (centre) is ready for the stiff competition with the arrival of new heritage players. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: It has been over 10 years since Malaysia defeated Vietnam on the football pitch, and head coach Peter Cklamovski wants to end that drought. And to achieve that, their friendly against Cape Verde today will be his final testing ground ahead of the clash against Vietnam on June 10 for the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifiers at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. 'As a country, we have not beaten Vietnam for over 10 years,' he said ahead of the squad's training session yesterday. 'We have full respect for Vietnam as a team and as a country, and we'll be giving everything we've got to change history. Malaysia's last win against Vietnam came in the 2014 AFF Cup when Harimau Malaya won 5-4 in the semi-final. Vietnam never lost any of their next eight matches against Malaysia, only settling for a 2-2 draw in the 2018 AFF Cup. Although the friendly with Cape Verde is a closed door match, it will be Cklamovski's first time leading the team in Bukit Jalil, but the Australian is more focused on the task at hand. 'Cape Verde have the qualities to challenge us and we need to be ready for it. This game will help us develop the final phase of our training for tough opponents like Vietnam. 'The friendly isn't going to be a two 45-minute game. We're controlling the minutes and want to play a game that's going to be at the highest possible intensity,' he said. Malaysia drew 1-1 against Cape Verde last Thursday at the Cheras Football Stadium in their first friendly match. On the arrival of new names in the squad, Cklamovski remained tight-lipped, as rumours about Argentine striker Rodrigo Holgado, and Spaniards Jefte Betancor and Jon Irazabal continue to circulate. 'There are a lot of names out there, some names I haven't even seen before. There's a lot of speculation, and I respect that. 'But at the moment we are focused on our match,' he said. Meanwhile, winger Safawi Rasid said the possible arrival of new heritage players doesn't scare him, stating that it would create healthy competition within the team. 'For me, I think it's good for the team because there will be healthy competition in training. 'As a local player, or any other player for that matter, we should all be giving everything we have during training without excuses,' he said.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia reject Indonesia, have 'secret plans' for September
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya coach Peter Cklamovski has explained why his team turned down an invitation to play friendly matches in Indonesia in September, citing prior commitments. "We're unavailable in September. What we've lined up has already been locked in for months, and I know Malaysians will be excited when it's announced," said Cklamovski. Indonesian media had earlier quoted FA of Indonesia (PSSI) president Erick Thohir as saying that Malaysia declined their offer for a friendly during the upcoming FIFA window. "We have long missed playing against Malaysia. One opportunity was during the FIFA window in September. We extended an invitation to Malaysia," said Erick. "However, perhaps the Malaysia senior team have other considerations as they are currently in the process of strengthening the squad." He added that fans were eager to witness a clash between the Southeast Asian rivals, who have not met since Indonesia's 4-1 win over Malaysia in the 2021 AFF Cup. FA of Malaysia (FAM) secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed that the invitation was rejected as Cklamovski had already made other plans for Harimau Malaya.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia say 'no friendly' to Indonesia
KUALA LUMPUR: For a change, the national football team get to say no to others. For years, Malaysia found it hard to get teams to play international friendlies against them due to the country's low world ranking. But this time, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) has reportedly turned down an invitation from the Indonesia FA (PSSI). Indonesian media reported PSSI president Erick Thohir as saying that their proposal to have a friendly with Harimau Malaya in September was turned down by FAM. "We have long missed playing against Malaysia. One opportunity was during the Fifa window in September. We extended an invitation to Malaysia. "However, perhaps the Malaysia senior team have other considerations as they are currently in the process of strengthening the squad," said Erick. He said fans, too, are eager to see a clash between these Southeast Asian rivals, who have not faced each other for some time. Their last meeting was four years ago with Indonesia beating Malaysia 4-1 in an AFF Cup match. FAM secretary-general Datuk Noor Azman Rahman confirmed that Malaysia had rejected the PSSI invitation as national head coach Peter Cklamovski has other plans for Harimau Malaya.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Tactician who toppled Man United now targets Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: It won't just be Malaysia and Vietnam battling it out at the National Stadium on June 10 — a tactical showdown is also brewing on the sidelines. National coach Peter Cklamovski is expected to face his stiffest test yet in Vietnam boss Kim Sang Sik, a man whose strategic nous was on full display when he masterminded the Asean All-Stars' stunning 1-0 win over Manchester United on Wednesday. Despite assembling the team just two days before the friendly and missing key players due to World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, Sang Sik's side looked anything but disorganised. Against a Red Devils squad boasting captain Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, the Asean XI pulled off a defensive and attacking masterclass to snatch a famous win in Bukit Jalil. That result has raised eyebrows — and expectations — ahead of Vietnam's visit, with critics predicting a fiercely organised and compact Vietnamese unit arriving in Kuala Lumpur. Football pundit Dr Zulakbal Abdul Karim believes Asean XI's triumph over United was no fluke. "Sang Sik didn't have the best players, but still got them playing as a unit. That speaks volumes about his tactical awareness," said Zulakbal. "It also suggests he's working with a vast scouting network and strong data analysis behind the scenes." "In modern football, analytics dictate a lot, and Sang Sik clearly knows how to use that to his advantage." Malaysia will need to be sharp. The Golden Star Warriors have dominated the rivalry in recent years, winning seven of the last eight meetings since 2016. The last time Harimau Malaya beat Vietnam was 11 years ago at the AFF Cup But Cklamovski's side have shown signs of promise. On Thursday, they held world No. 72 Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw at the KLFA Stadium. With the possible inclusion of newly naturalised stars like Rodrigo Holgado, hopes are high for a turnaround. Still, Vietnam remain an enigma. There's been little information on their squad, a move that hasn't gone unnoticed. "We've seen very few updates on their preparations. It's clear Sang Sik is keeping his cards close to his chest," said Zulakbal. "Vietnam are always well-drilled and difficult to break down. But Malaysia have also been doing their homework." Several Malaysian officials were spotted in the stands during the Asean XI's win over United. Not to be outdone, Vietnam's coaches also kept tabs on Harimau Malaya during their clash with Cape Verde.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Can Asean All-Star players impress their way to Old Trafford?
KUALA LUMPUR: Running onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford in Manchester United colours would be a dream come true for most players from Southeast Asia. And players from the Asean All-Stars squad that will face United in the Maybank Challenge Cup in Bukit Jalil tomorrow (May 28) might just make that dream become a reality if they can impress United boss Ruben Amorim. Amorim said he is always on the lookout for top talent from all corners of the world. "If I see someone with real value and he performs, he could be in our list," said Amorim during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today (May 27). "We are a club from around the world. You will have a space in the team if you are one of the best players in the world." Meanwhile, Asean All-Stars coach Kim Sang Sik said his players have been working hard in training and are looking forward to the clash. "All the players are very serious about winning the game so they are working hard. We have to prepare well and we are looking forward to a good match," said Sang Sik who guided Vietnam to AFF Cup glory last year. There are five Malaysian players in the Asean All-Stars side - Azam Azmi Murad, Adib Abdul Ra'op, Haziq Nadzli, Declan Lambert and Sergio Aguero.
