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New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Revive Harimau Muda or risk falling behind, warns Kim Swee
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national youth coach Ong Kim Swee has urged the authorities to urgently revive the Harimau Muda programme, warning that Malaysia risks being overtaken by the likes of the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos if immediate action isn't taken. Kim Swee said the national youth setup — once a breeding ground for SEA Games and AFF Cup-winning talents — must be brought back to stop the Young Tigers from falling further behind their fast-improving Southeast Asian rivals. The Harimau Muda programme, launched by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) in 2007 and disbanded in 2015, produced back-to-back SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2011. Players from this system also formed the backbone of the Harimau Malaya squad that lifted the AFF Cup in 2010. "During the Harimau Muda era, our young players were more competitive," said Kim Swee, who led the squad from 2009 to 2014. "Now their only real platform is the Super League. Even in last season's MFL Cup, how many top young players emerged? "The youth players in the Super League hardly get any minutes. There's nothing wrong with bringing back Harimau Muda — we've already proven that it works." Kim Swee said: "Don't underestimate the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia or Laos. "Look at what's happened in the last few years — how many times have we lost to the Philippines? "I'm not blaming anyone, but we need to ask how these countries have improved so quickly. "It's time to bring Harimau Muda back. Other countries may not have a similar setup, but they have strong grassroots systems at club level. Do we? "JDT have the right development structure, and Selangor are trying too. But what about the rest? "We've already lost to the Philippines. Don't be surprised if Cambodia, Laos — even Brunei — beat us next." His comments come after the Young Tigers failed to reach the semi-finals of the recent Under-23 Asean Championship, crashing out in the group stage following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, a 7-1 win over Brunei and a goalless draw with hosts Indonesia. The early exit has sparked concerns ahead of tougher assignments — the Under-23 Asian Cup qualifiers and the SEA Games later this year. FAM president Datuk Joehari Ayub said any revival of the Harimau Muda setup would depend on the national body's budget. Kim Swee, however, stressed that a centralised youth system gives both players and coaches the structure and time needed to build a competitive team. "When you call up players from different clubs, you only get between two to 10 days with them during FIFA windows — it's just not enough," he said. "Even if they understand tactics, team chemistry takes time to develop. "But with a centralised squad like Harimau Muda, we trained together for six months in Slovakia before returning for the SEA Games, and we won. "We didn't just win — we beat Italy at the World University Games. Imagine that — beating a footballing nation like Italy."
The Star
22-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Thai gem Picha set to add power in midfield for Red Giants
Picha Autra holds his new club jersey. - Photo by Selangor FC PETALING JAYA: Selangor are turning up the heat in midfield by securing Picha Autra (pic) of Thailand – a member of the AFF Cup and SEA Games winning team – for the new season. And the 29-year-old Picha, stepping out of his homeland for the first time, promises to deliver. 'Joining Selangor is a big step for me. It's a personal challenge and a chance to gain international experience,' said Picha. 'This is a professional club with high standards, and I'm proud to be part of the Red Giants family.' Picha arrives with a wealth of experience from the Thai League and is expected to be a key figure not just in the Super League, but also in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two and the Asean Club Championship. He was part of Thailand's 2020 AFF Cup-winning squad and also clinched gold at the 2017 SEA Games with the Under-23 team, solidifying his reputation as one of South-East Asia's top midfielders. A graduate of the famed Muangthong United academy, Picha began his senior career at just 18 with Nakhon Nayok, before establishing himself as a standout player with Samut Prakan City. There, he made 114 appearances, scoring 19 goals and notching 13 assists between 2015 and 2020, form that earned him a call-up to the Thailand senior national team in 2019. He returned to Muangthong United in 2020 and for four seasons, he played in 159 matches, including two against Selangor in the ACL Two group stage last season. His leadership qualities eventually saw him wear the captain's armband, underscoring his influence both on and off the pitch. Determined to make an immediate impact, the midfielder is focused on settling in quickly and making meaningful contributions. 'I want to build strong relationships with my teammates and the coaching staff. I hope my experience, especially in high-pressure situations, can help the team during tough moments,' he added. Selangor coach Katsuhito Kinoshi believes they have secured a gem. 'Picha embodies our fighting spirit. He brings a professional mindset and a dynamic style of play that aligns with our philosophy. His presence will add depth and quality to our squad,' said the Japanese tactician. THE SQUAD Foreigners staying on: Noor Al-Rawabdeh (Jor), Mohamad Abualnadi (Jor), Alvin Fortes (Cpv), Richmond Ankrah (Gha). Locals: Faisal Halim, Nooa Laine, Quentin Cheng, and Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar, Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman, Samuel Somerville, Kalamullah Al-Hafiz; Sharul Nazeem. Zulphakar, Ahmad Zikri Khalili, Aliff Haiqal Lau, Alif Izwan Yuslan, Muhammad Khalil, and Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi. New foreign signings: Picha Autra (Tha), Chrigor Moraes (Bra), Willian Lira (Bra), Juan Pablo Anor Acosta (Ven). New local signing: Moses Raj.
New Straits Times
14-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Sergio Aguero join DPMM
KUALA LUMPUR: Brunei's DPMM FC have confirmed the signing of naturalised Malaysia winger Sergio Aguero for the 2025-2026 M-League. The Argentina-born Aguero, 31, obtained Malaysian citizenship in 2022 and made his debut for Harimau Malaya at the AFF Cup later that year. The DPMM foreign roster already includes Indonesian Ramadhan Sananta, Filipino Amani Aguinaldo and Macedonian goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski. DPMM team manager Ali Momin is currently in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to scout for additional foreign players with the help of a Brazilian agent. Earlier, Thai club Kanchanaburi Power showed Aguero with a Malaysian flag emoji in their Facebook post. It has since been deleted.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Cklamovski fires up team to work harder after beating Vietnam for first time in 11 years
Going all out: Malaysia's Rodrigo Holgado heading the ball during their match against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: Results don't come without action, and national football team head coach Peter Cklamovski knows work is never done if they are to keep Malaysia's Asian Cup dreams alive. Harimau Malaya delivered a powerful performance against Vietnam on home turf in their 2027 Asian Cup third round qualifiers, thrashing their opponents 4-0 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. Cklamovski hailed his players' performance in front of 61,512 fans, as Malaysia got past their first tough fixture in the group against Vietnam to keep their Asian Cup dreams burning strong. 'Dream for it, because we've got that dream, without a doubt. We see the commitment the players have for that dream. 'We don't just think about it, but we have to do it by action, every day. And the performance the players put in is a reflection of what I see every day. 'I see a committed group of players hungry to build a team mentality that will make Malaysians proud. I'm very proud of the players,' he said. Cklamovski was quick to field fresh legs in the squad, giving playing minutes to newly arrived heritage players Joao Figueiredo, Rodrigo Holgado, Facundo Garces, Jon Irazabal, and Imanol Machuca. And they were quick to deliver. Figueiredo was first to break the deadlock in the 49th minute, followed by Holgado in the 58th. Seasoned heritage players La'vere Corbin-Ong and Dion Cools sealed the win in the 66th and 88th minutes, respectively. Malaysia also ended their 11-year winless streak against Vietnam as their last victory over the Golden Star Warriors was at the 2014 AFF Cup, when Harimau Malaya won 5-4 in the semi-final. Cklamovski was thrilled with his team, as they now sit top of Group F, three points clear of Vietnam in second, while Laos are in third with one win and Nepal remain without a point. 'I thought the first half was good, we probably could have gotten in front but it was important that we stayed focused in the second half. 'We stayed disciplined and worked hard as a team. That's important because we don't just rely on one player but 11, regardless of who is out there,' he said. Although the dream to qualify for Saudi Arabia stays alive, Cklamovski reminded the team that the win against Vietnam is just a small step in their long journey. 'We can dream, but we have to recover, analyse the game, and then get on to the next one. 'We just got three points from the game, that's all. We've got more work to do and more steps to take,' he said. Harimau Malaya will play their next qualifier match against Laos on Oct 9.
New Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia get green light from FIFA to use 5 new heritage players
KUALA LUMPUR: After sceptical rival fans across Southeast Asian urged FIFA to investigate Malaysia for its recruitment of "heritage players", the FA of Malaysia (FAM) announced today that the world body has cleared five foreign-born players to wear Malaysia shirts. The five naturalised heritage players are Facundo Garces, Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado. This means the five footballers will be able to take the field against Vietnam in a crucial Asian Cup Group F qualifier at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tonight (9pm kickoff). FAM, in a social media post today, stated that Garces, Machuca, Irazabal, Figueiredo and Holgado have received Fifa approval, Malaysia aim to break their 11-year winless run against Vietnam after losing seven times and drawn once in their last eight meetings. Malaysia's last win over Vietnam was at the 2014 AFF Cup.
