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Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Cools first M'sian to sign for J1 League side
Harimau Malaya captain Dion Cools has joined J1 League side Cerezo Osaka from Thai League club Buriram United. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Harimau Malaya captain Dion Cools has become the first Malaysian footballer to sign for a Japanese top-flight club. J1 League side Cerezo Osaka, currently eighth in the standings, today announced that they have signed the 28-year-old defender. 'Cools will bolster the squad as Cerezo Osaka prepare for the second half of the season,' said the club in a Facebook post. Cerezo Osaka last won major silverware in 2017, when they clinched both the Emperor's Cup and Cup. Cools joins Cerezo Osaka from Thai League side Buriram United, which he helped win multiple domestic titles and last season's Asean Club Championship. While Malaysians Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (YSCC Yokohama), Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (Fagiano Okayama) and Wan Zack Haikal (FC Ryukyu) have played in Japan, they featured in lower leagues. In a post on X, said Cools has proven himself both at Buriram and with Harimau Malaya. 'Welcome to the To all our fans in Malaysia – don't miss this exciting new chapter in Japan!' it said.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Cools becomes first Malaysian to play in Japan's top league
NATIONAL team centre-back Dion Cools is set to become Malaysia's first-ever player to feature in Japan's top-tier football after completing a permanent move to J1 League side Cerezo Osaka from Thai League 1 champions Buriram United. Cerezo Osaka in a statement said the 29-year-old Harimau Malaya defender will join the squad after fulfilling his national team duties as Malaysia prepare to face Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers next Tuesday. 'Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Dion Cools has joined the club from Buriram United FC (Thailand) on a permanent deal. 'He has also been selected for the Malaysian national team for the Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. He will be on international duty starting June 5 and is scheduled to join the club upon the conclusion of his national team commitments,' the club said today. Cools, who previously played in Europe for Belgium's Club Brugge and FC Midtjylland of Denmark, expressed his excitement about embarking on a new chapter with the Japanese J1 League club. 'I'm truly happy to have the opportunity to come to Japan and Osaka, and I'm very grateful for this chance. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff, and all the fans and supporters as soon as possible. 'I will give my all to help the team win as many games as possible and achieve our goals. Thank you for your support,' said the heritage player. Cools has helped Buriram United secure multiple domestic titles as well as the 2024/2025 ASEAN Club Championship since joining the Thunder Castle squad in January 2023. Meanwhile, the official Harimau Malaya page, Malaysia NT, congratulated Dion Cools on becoming the first Malaysian to play in Asia's top league with Cerezo Osaka.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Defender Cools is first M'sian to sign with top-flight J.League club
PETALING JAYA: National defender Dion Cools has become the first Malaysian to sign with a J1 League club. Cools, who turns 29 today (Wednesday, June 4), will join Cerezo Osaka from Thai club Buriram United. "Dion Cools will bolster the squad as Cerezo Osaka prepare for the second half of the season," said a statement from the club. Cools' addition would be much needed as Cerezo have conceded 26 goals in 20 matches. The Sakuras are currently eighth in the league with 29 points, just five points away from the top three spots. Other Malaysians have played in the but plied their trades at J2 and J3 (second and third division) sides. The last Malaysians before Cools to play in Japan were striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, who played for YSSC Yokohama, and midfielder Muhammad Abu Khalil for FC Osaka, both J3 clubs.
New Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Cools signs off Thai stint in style before expected move to Japan
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia international Dion Cools, who captained Buriram United to the Thai League Cup title on Saturday, may have played his final match for them before an expected move to Japan's Cerezo Osaka. The 28-year-old defender scored the opening goal — his fifth for the club this season — in extra time in Buriram's 2-0 win over Lamphun Warriors. While Cools has yet to announce his next destination, Buriram owner Newin Chidchob has already acknowledged his departure, asking Thai fans to give their blessings. Cools is expected to be a key player for Harimau Malaya in their Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam on June 10 at the National Stadium, Bukit Jalil. Cools is set to report for the third phase of national training on June 5, but will miss the closed-door friendly against Cape Verde at Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom earns Asean title for Buriram United in shootout
Goalie Chatchai Bootprom saved three penalties to help Buriram United win the Asean Club Championship. PHOTOS: FACEBOOK/BURIRAM UNITED BURIRAM, Thailand - Chatchai Bootprom saved three penalties as Buriram United defeated Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi 3-2 in a shootout to win the Asean Club Championship title on May 21 after a 3-3 draw in the second leg saw the tie end 5-5 on aggregate. The 38-year-old goalkeeper kept out spot-kicks from Jason Pendant Quang Vinh, Hugo Gomes and Bui Hoang Viet Anh to earn Osmar Loss' Thai League 1 champions victory in an eventful clash in front of their own fans. "I have never had as dramatic an experience as this in all my career," said Chatchai. "I feel very good because we won this trophy. We wanted to win this trophy because we wanted to be the number one in Asean." After a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Hanoi last week, Pendant put the visitors in front in the 15th minute when Nguyen Quang Hai played him in behind the Buriram defence, and the fullback calmly bided his time before shooting beyond Chatchai. Cong An Ha Noi doubled their advantage from the penalty spot with six minutes left in the half, Leo Artur converting after referee Koji Takasaki awarded a penalty following a clash between Buriram United's Peter Zulj and Gomes. Zulj made amends seven minutes from time when his shot on the turn found the bottom corner of Filip Nguyen's goal to give the home side hope. Lucas Crispim then unleashed a thunderous free kick from 30 yards out with the last kick of regulation time to take proceedings into extra time, the Brazilian crashing his right-foot effort off the underside of the bar to beat Nguyen. Crispim was the instigator of Buriram United's third, the winger embarking on a driving run towards the penalty area that ended with Giap Tuan Duong handling his cross and Guilherme Bissoli converted from the penalty spot in the 105th minute. However, Cong An Ha Noi's Alan Grafite headed in Quang Hani's corner in the 118th minute to take the game to penalties, where Chatchai's heroics secured the win. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
