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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.'
The Star
15-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Malaysia suffer shock 0-2 loss to Philippines in AFF under-23 opener
PETALING JAYA: Harimau Muda led by coach Nafuzi Zain has suffered a shock 2-0 loss to the Philippines in their opening match at the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday (July 15). Filipino striker Otu Abang Banatao, only 18, was the hero for the winning side when he scored a brace in the 13th and 42nd minutes. Malaysia, however, had the lion's share of possession at 72% with 21 chances created but were not clinical enough in front of their opponents' goal. To stand any chance of a strong showing in the competition, Malaysia must now beat Brunei on July 18 and hosts Indonesia on July 21 – both at the same venue.
The Star
13-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Chasing AFF glory
Mission begins: National Under-23 team leaving for Jakarta yesterday. — Bernama PETALING JAYA: A taste of football abroad has given youngster Mohamad Abu Khalil the edge he needs and now he is ready to help Malaysia chase glory at the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship in Indonesia starting tomorrow. The 20-year-old midfielder, who had stints with Japan's third division club FC Osaka and Thai League 1's Nakhon Pathom United last year, said the experience has been vital to elevating his game. 'My time spent in Japan and Thailand has been beneficial for me as it has matured my style of play. 'We want to win the title, that is our target,' he said before the team departed for Jakarta yesterday. Drawn in Group A, Malaysia will start their campaign against the Philippines on Tuesday, before taking on Brunei on July 18 and hosts Indonesia on July 21. Group B has Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, while Group C consists of Thailand, Myanmar, and Timor-Leste. Mohamad Abu Khalil Mohamad knows the first match against the Philippines will be important to set the tone within the team, but is confident the squad's chemistry will see them perform well. 'The players know each other well, as many come from the JDT Academy and AMD (Akademi Mokhtar Dahari), so now we are united again. 'The team have been working well together and knows what the coach wants from the team,' he said. Meanwhile, head coach Nafuzi Zain also emphasised that the opening fixture against the Philippines is the top priority. 'Even with a win, it won't guarantee anything, but it would help us get closer to our goal,' said Nafuzi. 'The players are in good physical condition, but their mental strength is also important. This is a real test for the team because expectations are high.' The squad have a target of reaching the semi-finals, as the top two teams of each group will advance to the knockout stage. He had set the semi-finals as a minimum target for the team, and knows the clash against Indonesia will be the toughest hurdle. Malaysia's best finish is a fourth placing at the last edition in 2023 Thailand.
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.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Vietnamese official questions Harimau Malaya's future if Tunku Ismail walks away
Harimau Malaya's "naturalisation project" may be roaring now, but what happens if its key player, Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, is no longer involved? This question was raised by former Asean Football Federation (AFF) vice president Duong Vu Lam, who voiced his concern over Malaysia's naturalisation drive and Indonesia's as well. "One day, Erick Thohir (Indonesia FA (PSSI) president) and Tunku Ismail will no longer be leading football in Indonesia and Malaysia. "What will happen to the national teams then?" said Duong in an interview with Vietnamese news outlet Dan Tri. "Naturalised players won't come anymore because there will be no one paying them, and local players won't have proper successors. What future will their football?" While fans debate in Malaysia over the rising number of foreign-born naturalised players, Duong's remarks point to a deeper issue — sustainability. He warned that Malaysia and Indonesia's heavy reliance on naturalised players is being propped up not by a robust national structure, but by individuals with deep pockets and global football connections. "The PSSI president is billionaire Thohir, the former president (and owner) of Inter Milan. "Meanwhile, the person supporting Malaysia's naturalisation policy is Tunku Ismail. "He is a prince and once negotiated to buy Valencia. Both of them have immense wealth and powerful connections in the football world." Duong said both leaders have the means to run specialised scouting operations and fast-track naturalisation through their networks. "They even have their scouting teams, groups of experts highly skilled in identifying players from all over the world," he said. "This enables them to find players suitable for Indonesia or Malaysia to naturalise. "At the same time, once they've identified suitable players, they can immediately meet the financial demands. "So the players agree to play for Indonesia or Malaysia." Duong also shared his thoughts on Vietnam's 4-0 loss to Malaysia in an Asian Cup qualifier last month. "They used many naturalised players, so their playing style makes it difficult to find cohesion in small coordination situations. "Moreover, most of Malaysia's naturalised players are currently not of very high level," he said in an interview with Duong added that the Malaysian team under former head coach Datuk K. Rajagobal (2010-2012) had a better balance and identity, relying less on physicality and more on spirit and structure. "I liked the Malaysian team from 2010 to 2012 more. The fighting spirit of the Malaysian players at that time was also higher than now," he said.
