Latest news with #AseanXI
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
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
The Manchester United brand takes a beating in Kuala Lumpur
MANCHESTER United's post-season tour was meant to be a parade of prestige — a money-spinning, brand-bolstering roadshow through Asia. Instead, it turned into a public relations disaster, as United's overpaid and underperforming stars were humbled 1-0 by a disciplined, determined Asean XI in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. Let's be clear. The Asean players are no amateurs. They are professionals from the top leagues of Southeast Asia, but they do not earn as much and enjoy global recognition, unlike United players. But with just one training session together and many of the region's stars unavailable due to World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers, this wasn't even the best the region had to offer. Yet it was still enough to send Manchester United crashing to a defeat that sent shockwaves across the footballing world. The result wasn't just a minor upset. It was a stark indictment of where United stand today — bloated, directionless and completely devoid of urgency. The Red Devils were just rubbish. The Asean XI, under the guidance of South Korean coach Kim Sang Sik, played with structure and belief. They pressed intelligently, defended as a unit, and seized their moment when Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin calmly slotted home the winner in the 71st minute — a goal he'll dine out on for the rest of his life. This wasn't just a training match for them. It was a chance to showcase Southeast Asian football on the world stage, and they took it with both hands. What made the loss more humiliating for United is the vast disparity in resources and salaries. Bruno Fernandes alone earns in the region of £300,000 a week, more than most of the Asean XI would make in two or three years. Add in Casemiro, Harry Maguire, Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, and the wage bill becomes obscene. And yet, despite all the money, Manchester United barely created anything. Ruben Amorim, the man hired to modernise the team and revive their identity, watched on as his side shuffled the ball around with no plan, no penetration, and no pride. The same tactical confusion that cost them in the Premier League and Europe was on full display against opponents with a fraction of their preparation time. The scenes were surreal. The National Stadium in Bukit Jalil was packed with over 72,000 supporters, many of them die-hard United fans, singing "Glory, Glory, Man United" in desperate hope of sparking a response. But the likes of Fernandes and Garnacho looked like they were still on the plane. Even Sergio Aguero — not the Man City legend, but the Malaysian naturalised striker of the same name — played with more purpose. He captained the Asean XI and gave United's defenders a hard time with clever movement and link-up play. It begs the question. And in the closing minutes of the match, fans booed their United heroes, showing their anger and frustration. What does this United squad stand for anymore? The side that came to Malaysia in 2009, led by the likes of Nani, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, would have dismantled a team like this. But that was an era of standards. Now, the Red Devils are a global brand before it is a football club. And make no mistake — this tour is about money. The club are reportedly raking in £8 million from these games against the Asean XI and Hong Kong. Commercially, it's a win. Football-wise, it's a disaster. United's players had barely recovered from their last Premier League match against Aston Villa and the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Then came a long flight, followed by a day packed with sponsorship appearances, including a bus parade in Kuala Lumpur and media duties. By Wednesday night, they looked flat, uninterested and ultimately beaten. Some will dismiss the result as meaningless. Just another friendly. But in modern football, image matters. Results like these don't just bruise egos, they dent the brand. Losing to a lesser-known, regional side, invites questions about commitment, quality, and leadership. And for Southeast Asian football, this was a landmark moment. Too often mocked or overlooked, the region now has a marquee scalp. Young fans in Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur now have proof that their stars can compete with the best and beat them. For Man United, it's a reminder that global tours aren't just photo ops, they're performances. And if the players aren't up for it, they're not just wasting time, they're damaging a once-great name. The Asean XI didn't just win a match — they sent a message. United, meanwhile, are stuck in a cycle of excuses, fatigue, and false dawns. Once feared across Europe, now beaten in Bukit Jalil. It was meant to be a celebration; it turned into a lesson. And that lesson is simple: you can't just wear the badge, you have to honour it. For now, Man United fans can remain in their caves, still talking about the glory days until the club show more promise in the years to come.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Amorim: No Champions League? That's a blessing in disguise
KUALA LUMPUR: Ruben Amorim has vowed to rebuild Manchester United after what he admitted was one of the club's darkest seasons in recent memory. The Portuguese manager is hoping Wednesday's friendly against the Asean XI at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil will mark the beginning of a new era for the fallen English giants. Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has struggled to steady the ship - managing just eight Premier League wins as United finished a dismal 15th in the table. The pain was compounded by a 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final on May 22, capping their worst campaign in over 50 years. Amorim, 39, has since issued an apology to fans and players, insisting that "better days are coming". Speaking at a pre-match press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Amorim said the absence of Champions League football next season might actually work in their favour. "When you are at Manchester United, people expect you to win, to be at the top," he said. "But we need to think small - win the next game, then build from there. That's how we get back. "Not being in the Champions League could help us. We'll have time to prepare better, focus more, build something long-term. It can be an advantage." Amorim, who has brought a large group of young players for the Asia Tour, is keen to shield them from the pressure that comes with playing for United. "Sometimes we push the kids too fast. Social media, expectations, it's a lot. I don't want to name names, but I believe in all of them. We'll protect them, give them the tools, and let them surprise us." The manager added that he is overwhelmed by the support shown by United fans in Malaysia and urged his players to repay that faith. "The passion here is unbelievable. Just like at Old Trafford, you can feel it," he said. "We know what the fans want - to see us win, to see us perform. We owe them that."
