Latest news with #BlueSharks
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia hold Cape Verde to draw
KUALA LUMPUR: This is a draw that Malaysia should feel happy with, nearly as good as a win. A "winning draw" if you can call this. And this draw in a Tier 1 international friendly should boost Malaysia's world football ranking. World No.151 Malaysia drew 1-1 with world No 72 Cape Verde. That is something to be proud of. On this day, Harimau Malaya looked the equal of the Blue Sharks, ranked 79 places above them in Fifa book. But Malaysia needed a Brazilian-born player to restore parity after the Africans had taken the lead in the ninth minute through Sidny Lopes Cabral. Paulo Josue came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 79th minute to the cheers of the 11,000-strong crowd at KLFA Stadium. Head coach Peter Cklamovski made four changes in the second half,
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Blue Sharks can't wait to sink their jaws into Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Cape Verde head coach Pedro Brito, better known as Bubista, says playing Malaysia is more than just a friendly — it's a vital part of his team's road to the 2026 World Cup. The Blue Sharks, currently ranked 75th in the world and pushing for qualification to their first-ever World Cup, are in Kuala Lumpur for two matches against Malaysia – at the Cheras Football Stadium today and at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil (June 3). The African side see the games against the Harimau Malaya as a valuable and different challenge. 'We like to play two very good games. It would be a good preparation for us and also for Malaysia who have a big game against Vietnam,' said Brito during a press conference at the Cheras Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. 'We want to experience different kinds of football that these nations can present. With more experience, we are closer to our target which is the World Cup in 2026.' This will be the first meeting between Cape Verde and Malaysia, and for a small island nation from West Africa with a population of just over half a million, every international exposure counts. 'We are playing Malaysia for the first time. It's a different challenge. It is important to play against different teams. It is an opportunity for us to see how we can adapt to various styles,' said the 54-year-old Brito. Cape Verde have been steadily rising in the global football scene. They reached the quarter-finals at the 2023 African Nations Cup and regularly compete with top African sides. Despite having players based across Europe and the Americas, Brito believes the test against Malaysia comes at a good time – not only for tactical development but also for integrating young talents. 'We have many young players, some first-timers, so it is important for them too. 'The ranking doesn't matter as we are seeking a challenge from the match.' Ranked more than 56 places above Malaysia (No. 131), Cape Verde could have opted for stiffer tests in Europe or Africa but the decision to travel to South-East Asia was intentional - to face a different kind of footballing culture and continue building their identity on the global stage.
New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia hope for the real deal from Africa
KUALA LUMPUR: Are Cape Verde the real deal? Will the West Africans be coming to Kuala Lumpur with their national team? If they do, Cape Verde, aka the Blue Sharks, are capable of tearing apart Harimau Malaya. After all, they are ranked much higher than Malaysia — world No. 72 against world No. 131. Malaysia will play Cape Verde in a Tier 1 international friendly at KLFA Stadium on May 29 and in a closed-door test match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 3. While fans are excited over Cape Verde's visit, memories of Malaysian football's most embarrassing moment — the Zimbabwean hoax of 2009 — have come flooding back. At that time, Harimau Malaya were duped into facing a club side, Monomotapa United, who posed as the Zimbabwe national side. The African visitors donned national colours in Kuala Lumpur, with people posing as Zimbabwe coaching staff. The FA of Malaysia (FAM) was not amused, and accused the Zimbabwe Football Association of deception and disrespect. Monomotapa lost 4-0 in the first match and 1-0 in the second to Malaysia. National coach Datuk K. Rajagobal had then said that he was told it was the "real Zimbabwe squad". From 2008 to 2009, Harimau Malaya played five matches against teams claiming to represent African nations, including Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Lesotho, but questions lingered over the authenticity of some of these line-ups. Now, after 16 years, Malaysia are set to play another African nation, Cape Verde. Inevitably, questions are being raised again — will it be the real Cape Verde? Former Football Coaches Association of Malaysia vice-president Dr Zulakbal Abd Karim said such incidents had happened before, but he trusts FAM's current leadership. "In the past, it could have happened, African teams coming here, claiming to be something. But I believe FAM has experts like Harimau Malaya CEO (Rob Friend) and they would know more than us. "Secondly, the info and media reports show a team of high calibre, and when they come, we will know if it's the first or second team. We have professionals to do a background check," said Zulakbal. Meanwhile, football observer Sayf Ismail said while it is important for Malaysia to play higher-ranked teams, he warned of the potential pitfalls. "It's a good move to play teams better than us. But we also have to ensure they send a competitive team and not junior teams or highly experimental teams. "But it's their prerogative to send those they feel can win, and they have their priorities to test out younger players against Malaysia. "But we have to make sure that the negotiations and understanding between both the countries are mutually beneficial."
The Star
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Harimau Malaya need to sharpen claws for jaws of Blue Sharks
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian football team will get a much needed challenge in two friendly matches against African side Cape Verde ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. The Harimau Malaya, who are ranked 131st in the world, take on the No. 72 Blue Sharks on May 29 at the Cheras Football Stadium and June 3 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. The first match will be open to the public but the second will be held behind closed doors. Malaysia coach Peter Cklamovski said he chose Cape Verde for the friendlies as they are a stronger side who will push the Australian's charges to raise their game. 'Cape Verde will provide a high-level challenge. They're one of the top-performing teams in Africa right now, with a squad full of players competing across European leagues. They have some quality talent in their team and will be a good side to gauge ourselves against,' said the 46-year-old Cklamovski. 'As a national team, we need to raise our level and test ourselves against stronger opponents. If we want to grow into the team we all dream of, we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone and play against top-quality sides, and this will allow us to learn and grow. 'These matches are not just friendlies, it's a vital part of our development and our journey moving forward.' Cape Verde possess some top-quality players, with Villareal centreback Logan Costa being one of the big names. They also have experienced forwards in the form of Ryan Mendes and Garry Rodrigues, both playing in the Turkish top division. Even Selangor's mercurial winger Alvin Fortes could be in the reckoning for the game against Malaysia. As for Malaysia, the two matches will be important as most players are entering the off-season period and Cklamovski is making sure that his charges get the best preparation before the Vietnam match. 'This is a unique period for us as a national team. The majority of our players will be coming from an off-season period. Most players would not have played a competitive game for around four to five weeks. 'I see this preparation window and camp as crucial as we build towards the important match against Vietnam on June 10.' On March 25, Malaysia started their Group F campaign with a 2-0 win over Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, while Vietnam thrashed Laos 5-0 at the Binh Duong Stadium. A win for either Malaysia or Vietnam next month will be crucial as they will top the group and bring much needed momentum into the upcoming games.
New Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Harimau Malaya to face Cape Verde in historic friendly
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya will take on Cape Verde for the first time in an international friendly at the KLFA Stadium in Cheras on May 29. World No. 72 Cape Verde are expected to provide a stern test for 131st-ranked Malaysia ahead of their crunch Asian Cup Group F qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. The Blue Sharks, who reached the last 16 of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, boast a squad brimming with experience from top leagues across Europe and the United States. Among their key players are Logan Costa (Villarreal), Steven Moreira (Columbus Crew), Gilson Tavares (Akron Tolyatti), Ryan Mendes (Kocaelispor) and veteran goalkeeper Vozinha of GD Chaves. Rising star Dailon Livramento, currently on the books of Serie A side Hellas Verona, adds youthful spark to their lineup. Peter Cklamovski's men will lock horns with Cape Verde again in a closed-door training match in Bukit Jalil on June 3. In a statement, the FA of Malaysia (FAM) said both matches are crucial in preparing the national team for the must-win qualifier against Vietnam. "These games are designed to give the national team competitive minutes and strategic exposure ahead of the Vietnam match," said FAM. Malaysia kicked off their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in March, while Vietnam hammered Laos 5-0 in their opener. Tickets for the Cape Verde and Vietnam matches go on sale from May 12 at Prices for the Cape Verde game are RM40 (open seating) and RM5 for children aged between five and 12. For the Vietnam clash, ticket prices are RM40 (open), RM60 (grandstand), RM70 (premium), and RM5 for children. All tickets will be sold exclusively online.
