Latest news with #J1League
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.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cools joins J1 League's Cerezo in historic transfer
KUALA LUMPUR: National captain Dion Cools has made history by becoming the first Malaysian footballer to sign for a Japanese top-flight club. The 28-year-old defender, who is of Belgian-Malaysian descent, has joined J1 League side Cerezo Osaka as a mid-season signing. The deal was announced on Wednesday, though the terms remain undisclosed. Cerezo Osaka, currently eighth in the standings, last won major domestic silverware in 2017, lifting both the Emperor's Cup and J. League Cup. "We have signed Malaysian defender Dion Cools," the club announced on social media. "It is a historic milestone, given that Malaysian exports to Japan have only featured in the lower divisions." Indeed, Cools becomes the first Malaysian to feature in Japan's top tier, whereas previous exports like Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (YSCC Yokohama), Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (Fagiano Okayama, Azul Claro Numazu), and Wan Zack Haikal (FC Ryukyu) only played in the lower leagues. Prior to this move, Cools starred in the Thai League with Buriram United, helping them win multiple domestic titles and the Asean Club Championship, while also reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite. Cools' transfer is being hailed as a major breakthrough for Malaysian football, highlighting the rising profile of local talent in Asian football.
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.
Herald Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- Herald Sun
Will Ange Postecoglou's next move after Europa League triumph
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. Ange Postecoglou's emphatic Europa League win has thrown everything up in the air at Tottenham Hotspur. The status quo is eerily similar to his first post-Socceroos overseas job, in Japan, when Postecoglou narrowly avoided relegation in season one. Yokohama F. Marinos had every right to sack Postecoglou – they instead adopted the patient approach of owners, City Football Group (Manchester City's owners), and backed him. The next season they won the J1 League title in a canter, producing a trailblazing brand that still influences Japanese football. Spurs are 17th for a reason, with Postecoglou unsurprisingly revealing how he'd prioritised the Europa League over the domestic season. It was a high stakes gamble that could've sensationally backfired. It paid off in spades, comfortably outfoxing Manchester United counterpart Ruben Amorim. Postecoglou claimed the coveted trophy and Champions League spot – including a $208.5m UEFA injection – rendering the Premier League ladder position irrelevant. He navigated an outrageous injury crisis, a young, thin squad. A pragmatic tweak and European prioritisation demonstrated a flexibility, and confirmation that he's capable of leading this club to realise its full potential. Now, the ball is in Tottenham's court. 'Mate, I'm a winner. I've been a serial-winner my whole career. When I signed, (chairman) Daniel (Levy) said, 'we went after winners, it didn't work, now we've got Ange',' Postecoglou said. 'No one has spoken to me. No planned meetings. Maybe they were waiting for this game. 'But I understand, the way things have gone in the league people are rightly concerned. It's a true reflection of where we're at. 'My own belief in what I do doesn't waver and I'll continue to do what I do.' It's understood that Spurs considered firing Postecoglou, who signed a five-year deal, during this season. The traditionally trigger-happy Spurs got a potential glimpse into the future with the European triumph. In one fell swoop, Postecoglou has flipped the narrative and ensured Monday morning's final match of the season (home to Brighton), will be a party. The tone could dictate the Spurs board's decision on Postecoglou, who declared he wants to remain. Postecoglou was already in demand regardless of the Bilbao result, but the 1-0 win will ensure he courts interest from English and European clubs. 'Everything I've done, from training to decisions, was (prioritising) Europe. That's come at a cost. I just felt the end game was more important,' he said. '(I'll) get ready for a massive parade on Friday, play Brighton on Sunday – really important our last home game. We want to finish strong – and then Monday I'll go on holiday with my beautiful family because I deserve it. And que serums While Postecoglou's Tottenham tenure was headed for an inevitable end if Spurs lost, the drought-breaking win leaves all parties in a fascinating predicament. Originally published as What's next for Ange Postecoglou: After Europa League triumph, will the Australian stay at Tottenham?
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Kawasaki Frontale to face Ronaldo's Al Nassr in Asian Champions League semis
JEDDAH: Japan's Kawasaki Frontale set up an Asian Champions League Elite semi-final against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr with a 3-2 victory in extra time against Qatari side Al Sadd on Sunday. The J1 League club, who arrived at the inaugural Elite Finals on the back of five-match domestic winless streak, came through the quarter-final at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah after the match had finished 2-2 in normal time. Frontale had twice taken the lead, through first-half goals from Brazilian duo Erison and Marcinho, with Al Sadd replying both times courtesy of their own Brazilians, Paulo Otavio and Claudinho. However, Frontale captain Yasuto Wakizaka got the winner midway through the first period of extra time. Frontale will now take on Al Nassr, captained by Ronaldo, on Wednesday in the Saudi-dominated last four. The other semi-final, to take place on Tuesday, sees record four-time champions Al Hilal face fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. Jeddah is the host city for the final three rounds of the revamped tournament. It took Frontale only four minutes to opening the scoring against Al Sadd, when Erison met Akihiro Ienaga's cross from the right first time to cushion his half-volley past Qatar goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham. Al Sadd rebounded within five minutes, Otavio exchanging passes with current Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif before rifling his shot from an acute angle on the left that somehow beat Frontale goalkeeper Louis Yamaguchi at his near post. Parity lasted all of 12 minutes, though. Marcinho played a one-two from deep with Yuki Yamamoto and raced onto the return pass to poke past Barsham. Frontale maintained their lead until the 71st minute, when Claudinho sent a powerful drive into the net following Al Sadd captain Hassan Al Haydos' clever dummy to force an extra half-hour. Frontale did find the killer blow eventually, Shigetoshi Hasebe's side pouncing on a mistake by Al Sadd substitute Guilherme in the 98th minute. The ball found its way to Wakizaka, who swept home the finish to send his boyhood club into the semi-final.
