Latest news with #AseanAll-Stars
The Star
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Sheer bliss of Man U fans
Pop-up Trafford Den in Kuala Lumpur is a hub for Manchester United fans to connect with each other, share their love for the club and meet some stars as the Red Devils stopped by Malaysia on their Asian tour. — Photos: LOW BOON TAT/The Star THEir favourite team might have lost the friendly to the Asean All-Stars, but for many local Manchester United fans, this has proven to be quite a special week in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's capital was chosen as the first stop on the Red Devils' visit to Asia this off-season. And while they were beaten 1-0 by the 'home team', it turned out to be a rather joyous occasion as fans paid tribute to the stars – boldly and unashamedly showing their passion, pride and unwavering loyalty. As the official beer partner of Man United, Tiger Beer brought pop-up Trafford Den to life, depicting just what it means to be a fan of the club in Malaysia. Set in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Trafford Den was the Theatre of Dreams come true for fans as they had the chance to connect, listen to and relive their football moments with star players in attendance. It led some to declare: 'This is testimony that distance is no barrier for Man United and the fans here in Malaysia. 'This is a great experience made possible by Tiger Beer and the stars who visited.' (From left) Shaw, Heaton, Dalot, Nani, Casemiro and Sneep with the banner signed by fans. Going along with the sponsors' tagline, the fans 'uncaged their tiger, where every cheer and every roar echoed the spirit of boldness and passion.' The atmosphere heightened when Man United players Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Tom Heaton and club legend Nani dropped in for a meet-and-greet session prior to the match. And the guests of honour did not disappoint – there were great cheers and photographs taken, with autographs signed freely. There was an overwhelming sense of togetherness, and a supporter who identified himself only as Ben said, 'Just like the club itself, we the United fans stand stronger and together.' A huge Tiger Beer and Man United banner was signed by the fans as a tribute to the club, which will head to Old Trafford to proudly showcase the passion of Malaysian football supporters. A supporter says the event proves that distance is no barrier to Manchester United fans. Heineken Malaysia marketing manager Julie Kuan said: 'Tiger Beer has always stood for boldness and connection, and with Trafford Den, we brought that to life in a way that truly resonated with the club and all it stands for. 'We didn't just bring Man United fans closer to the club, we brought to life the trinity of football fandom – connection, recognition and loyalty.' She said Tiger Beer created the platform, Manchester United embraced the passion and the fans showed up with unwavering pride. 'It was all about feeling seen, being heard and part of something much bigger. 'Because when fans uncage their 'tiger' and come together, they roar louder – and that spirit of Old Trafford isn't just in Manchester, it lives wherever Tiger Beer is.' Also present was Heineken Malaysia marketing director Willemijn Sneep and sales director Jimmy Ding. — By SHAUN ORANGE
The Star
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
United winger Amad explains obscene gesture
KUALA LUMPUR: Manchester United winger Amad says he doesn't regret making what appeared to be an obscene gesture towards some fans in Malaysia because his mother allegedly had been insulted. Footage shared widely on social media appeared to show the 22-year-old Ivory Coast international raising his middle finger while outside a hotel with his teammates in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week. 'I have respect for people but not for the one who insults my mum,' Amad wrote on X. 'I shouldn't have reacted like that but I don't regret what I did. 'We had a great time in Malaysia with good people.' United did not respond to a request for comment. The team's postseason Asia tour had already got off to a bad start when United lost their friendly against a Asean All-Stars 1-0 in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Some fans booed in response. Even Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was disappointed, suggesting United could be relegated after watching the team lose, despite the fact they were probably affected by jet lag. 'Ouch. Man United failed to win another trophy,' Anwar, one of 72,500 fans at Bukit Jalil Stadium in the Malaysian capital, wrote on social media. 'Looks like you're in for another tough season, hope you don't drop to the Championship,' he added, referring to England's second tier. United then travelled to Hong Kong for another friendly. 'We were not really focused in the last game, and everybody can feel it,' United manager Ruben Amorim said on Thursday. 'We just want to turn the page and improve in the next season.' On Sunday, United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest-ever ranking in the competition, just four days after a loss in the Europa League final to Tottenham meant their European season ended without a trophy. — AP
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Asean All-Stars coach praises players' great teamwork in 1-0 upset against Man United
Sang Sik said what made the result even more remarkable was that the players had only met 48 hours earlier prior to the match against Ruben Amorim's side. 29 May 2025 08:51am Manchester United FC players react after losing to the Asean All-Stars in the 2025 Maybank Malaysia Challenge Cup match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - Asean All-Stars head coach Kim Sang Sik praised his players' great teamwork and attributed it to his side's stunning 1-0 victory over English football giants, Manchester United in the Maybank Challenge Cup at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil, yesterday. Sang Sik said what made the result even more remarkable was that the players had only met 48 hours earlier prior to the match against Ruben Amorim's side. Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho reacts after losing to the Asean All-Stars in the 2025 Maybank Malaysia Challenge Cup match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. - Bernama photo "(But it was) as if they had been teammates for two decades. It was a great match and fantastic performance from the team. "We were only trained for two days but they played like they were together for 20 years. The team played with real good organisation and we are very happy with the victory,' he told a post-match press conference here yesterday. Sang Sik also praised the performance of two Malaysian players namely team captain Sergio Aguero and Declan Lambert, who made a strong impression on the pitch. The Vietnam national team head coach noted that he would closely analyse both players ahead of the upcoming third round of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, where his team is set to face Malaysia on June 10 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Asean All-Star hero Maung Maung, whose 71st minute goal ensured his team won yesterday, described his goal against the 13-time English Premier League champions as a dream that came true. "This moment is very rare for me, and I would like to dedicate my goal to the Southeast Asia region,' he said. Manchester United will continue their post-season tour with a game against the Hong Kong national team on May 30 at Hong Kong Stadium. - BERNAMA More Like This
Sinar Daily
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sinar Daily
Paulo Josue urges Harimau Malaya fans to fill stadium despite Man Utd hype
For the record, 70,000 tickets have been sold for the English Premier League (EPL) giant's match against the Asean All-Stars, a team comprised of top players from across the region. Josue. Photo from Malaysia NT Facebook SHAH ALAM – Harimau Malaya naturalised player, Paulo Josue hopes fans will fill the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras to support the national squad as they face Cape Verde in an international friendly on Thursday. The experienced midfielder believes fan support is crucial for the squad led by Peter Cklamovski, even though the match takes place just a day after the high-profile game between Manchester United and the Asean All-Stars at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. For the record, 70,000 tickets have been sold for the English Premier League (EPL) giant's match against the Asean All-Stars, a team comprised of top players from across the region. 'This is the first time Manchester United are back in Malaysia. The EPL is extremely popular here, with many fans watching their matches every morning or night. "Even though their EPL performance hasn't been very impressive lately, they're still a big global brand. I hope they enjoy their time in Kuala Lumpur, including the stadium atmosphere and the warm welcome from Malaysian fans. "At the same time, I also hope local football fans will come and support Harimau Malaya the next day. The presence of supporters means a lot to us,' he said during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday. The Kuala Lumpur City captain views the match against 72nd-ranked Cape Verde as an important test to gauge Harimau Malaya's true capabilities when facing a high-level team. 'It's definitely going to be tough for us, but matches like this are very important — playing against strong teams shows where we really stand in terms of physical and mental strength. "It's a big challenge, but it's something we must face. It'll also be a great experience for all of us. The opposing team will also be competing in the World Cup and have a higher ranking, as everyone knows. So, of course, it'll be a tough battle for us. But we're excited to take them on and see how big the gap really is between us and them,' he said. More Like This
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
‘Oh no!': Malaysian PM sticks boot into booed Man Utd
KUALA LUMPUR: A fan sits in the stands before the exhibition friendly football match between Manchester United and Asean All-Stars at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on May 28, 2025. - AFP KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's prime minister has stuck the boot into Manchester United by suggesting they could be relegated next season, having watched the fallen Premier League giants booed off in Kuala Lumpur. Ruben Amorim's demoralized side suffered an embarrassing 1-0 friendly defeat to a Southeast Asian XI in front of more than 70,000 in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday. That came after United finished a lowly 15th in the league and failed to lift a trophy, one of their poorest seasons in recent memory. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was in the crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium and could not resist a dig afterwards. 'Oh no! Manchester United failed to win a trophy again. Looks like you guys are going to have a 'headache' next season,' Anwar wrote on Facebook. 'Hopefully you don't get relegated to the Championship,' he added, referring to England's second tier of football. Amorim's side play the Hong Kong team on Friday in their second and final match of their Asian post-season tour. The game at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium was yet to sell out on the eve of the friendly. — AFP
