Latest news with #Machuca
The Star
a day ago
- Sport
- The Star
Big lift for our boys
New reinforcements: (from left) Rodrigo Holgado, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Imanol Machuca posing for a picture during a training session. — FAM PETALING JAYA: Just two day after a sobering 0-3 defeat to Cape Verde, the national football team have injected a fresh wave of optimism with the inclusion of four new faces ahead of their crucial 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Vietnam on June 10 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Following the arrival of 25-year-old Argentinian-born centreback Facundo Garces on Tuesday, Harimau Malaya have officially welcomed four more mixed-heritage players – dubbed 'Malaysians Abroad' – into the fold. They are winger Imanol Machuca, centreback Jon Irazabal, and forwards Rodrigo Holgado and Joao Figueiredo. While details of their Malaysian lineage have not been publicly disclosed, reports from South America suggest that Machuca, Garces and Holgado trace their roots to Malaysian grandparents. Argentinian-born Machuca, 25, currently on loan at Argentine club Velez Sarsfield from Brazil's Fortaleza, is a dynamic flanker known for his quick feet and vision. Standing at 1.70m, he's effective on either wing and poses a creative threat in the final third. 'Since arriving at the national training camp, Malaysia have given me the best,' said Machuca. 'I can feel it's something truly special to represent Harimau Malaya. It's an honour, and I will give it my all.' Equally enthusiastic is Argentinian-born Holgado, 29, who plies his trade as a striker for Colombian side America de Cali. The clinical frontman has already bagged seven goals and two assists in 15 league outings this season. 'Since arriving here, I've fallen in love with the atmosphere and the country,' said Holgado. 'Now I'm beginning to understand what it means to play for Malaysia – and I'm ready to give everything.' Figueiredo, a 29-year-old Brazilian-born forward who last featured for Turkish Super Lig club Istanbul Basaksehir, brings a wealth of experience. He netted 12 goals in 48 appearances across competitions and is capable of operating across the entire frontline. 'Personally, this season means a lot to me,' said Figueiredo. 'And now, to represent Malaysia and share this dream – to go further on the Asian and world stage – is truly an honour. I can't wait to feel the support and love from the fans.' Defensive solidity has also been boosted by the addition of Spanish-born Jon Irazabal. The 28-year-old centreback recently helped Azerbaijan's Sabah FK clinch the national cup title. 'I chose Malaysia because I believe this is where my national responsibility truly lies,' said Irazabal. 'I've already started to feel how unique and meaningful it is to play for Malaysia.' These reinforcements are seen as vital by head coach Peter Cklamovski, who is reshaping the national team's identity with a blend of domestic stalwarts and foreign-born talents eligible through heritage. Beyond the new additions, Cklamovski has already utilised the services of Dutch-born midfielder Hector Hevel and Spanish-born wingback Gabriel Palmero – part of the expanding pool of Malaysians abroad. As anticipation builds for the Vietnam clash, the inclusion of these five foreign-born players – all tested professionals in competitive leagues – has not only added depth but ignited hope that Harimau Malaya can bounce back strongly and stake their claim for a spot in the Asian Cup.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
Four new heritage players join Harimau Malaya squad
KUALA LUMPUR: The national football squad, in a statement released today (June 4), announced the addition of four new heritage players to the Harimau Malaya squad. The four - Imanol Machuca, Jon Irazabal, Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado - have been training with the squad over the past few days. "They have shown good performances and are players with quality. They are prepared to strengthen the national squad and help realise the dream of all Malaysians," said the statement. Argentina-born Machuca is looking forward to representing Malaysia. He is currently on the books at Velez Sarsfield. "It is an honour to represent Malaysia, I feel that it is something special. I will give everything I have," said Machuca. Holdgado, who is also Argentina-born, echoed Machuca's sentiments. "From the moment I arrived, I fell in love with the atmosphere and the country. Now I understand what it really means to play for Malaysia. I'm ready to give it my all," said Holgado, who plays for America de Cali at club level. Bilbao-born Irazabal, who plays for Sabah FK, believes he was meant to represent Malaysia. "I chose Malaysia because I truly believe this is where my national duty lies. I've already begun to feel how special and unique it is to represent Malaysia," said Irazabal. Brazil-born Figueiredo is determined to help Malaysia reach greater heights. He currently plies his trade with Istanbul Basaksehir. "Personally, this season has meant a great deal to me. And now, being able to represent Malaysia and share this dream with all of you — to go further on the Asian and global stage — is truly an honour," he said. "I can't wait to feel the support and love from the fans. It's something unique and extraordinary." Earlier this week, the national squad announced the addition of Argentina-born Facundo Garces to the squad. He currently competes for Deportivo Alaves at club level.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Teacher Incentive Allotments delivered
May 9—Blackshear Elementary School fifth grade teacher Dave Machuca is going to Disney World this summer, especially after being awarded $22,415.40 through the Teacher Incentive Allotment Friday. Machuca was one of 412 teachers — including 16 at Blackshear — given a big check. Along with their checks, teachers sported black sashes with the words Inspiring Minds in white on them. Superintendent Keeley Boyer noted that Blackshear teachers earned a total of $219,000. Machuca has been teaching for 17 years, including seven at Blackshear. He said he had received smaller checks previously and this year was a tremendous jump. Being recognized in this way was nice — and appreciated — after so many years. "It's nice that they're starting to do this for our teachers" Machuca said. He said he was planning to go to Disney before he got the funds, but it will help. Fourth grade teacher Samantha Hutson also received $22,415.40 and it's life-changing for her. A single mom, she plans to use the money for a downpayment on a house. This is her 19th year with ECISD and her fifth year at Blackshear. "I think it's amazing," Hutson said of being recognized. "I think it's such a good inspiration for teachers daily just to have that drive and that persistence and that determination to come to work, to show up, to be present and to really give their best effort," Hutson said. The recognition is a daily reminder to be present even on the hard days "when I want to give up. This motivates me to be at work and give it my all," she added. Last year, 350 teachers were recognized. Boyer said this year $4.6 million was awarded and last year it was $3.1 million. Teachers at 40 schools received the Teacher Incentive Allotment this year. Boyer said there were more teachers this year because more teachers are impacting students at a higher level when it comes to academic achievement and growth. "I think it just has really a testament to the work that our teachers are doing in the classroom," Boyer said. There were campuses that had more than 20 recipients, but she said this was a campus the team had not visited before to celebrate. "We wanted to come celebrate 16 TIA checks, as well as $219,000 which is a very large amount," Boyer said. Teachers get the Teacher Incentive Allotment through student growth and student performance on STAAR and MAP tests. The evidence is showing up with the students, she added. The check amounts differ by school population and designation. There are recognized awards, exemplary awards, and master level awards, which is the highest level. "Depending on student population in terms of economically disadvantaged, as well as teacher performance, that is where the teacher lands in terms of their designation. Recognized is your lowest amount," Boyer said. At Blackshear, that was $6,184.80, followed by exemplary at $12,368.70 and master at $22,415.40. All teachers, regardless of school, use the same foundational high-quality instruction, but Boyer said they differentiate based on student need. "Every school and every kid needs something a little different so our teachers do differentiate, and that is where you see the growth because these awards are based on student learning growth. Here we have 16 teachers that are in the top 15% of the state on growing kids when it comes to academic success," Boyer said. ECISD is in its fourth year of awarding Teacher Incentive Allotments. As a district, ECISD opted into the statewide program. Over the past four years, the program has grown tremendously in terms of the number of teachers who have received the award. They started four years ago with a little more than $800,000 in payouts and now it's at $4.6 million. This was the first time she had done the honors as superintendent. "It is so fun, and it is just exciting to see how happy the kids are for their teachers. You could hear it every single time a teacher's name was called, the kids just erupted with joy. Just seeing the kids celebrate their teachers and be as excited for them as the teachers are to receive the big checks. It's a ton of fun," Boyer said. "I've gotten to be a part of it for the past several years in my role as chief of schools and going out to other schools. But today was my first time to be a part of actually handing out the checks. It was definitely a fun day and a few more stops to go," Boyer said. Zavala Elementary where six teachers were recognized was the next stop. Some 735 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade celebrated the instructors. Principal Tanya Galindo said having her teachers recognized was a blessing. "I'm elated. All of our teachers in our district work so hard making sure that we put kids first and doing what's best for our kids, and the fact that they get rewarded for it is even better," Galindo said. The presentation also capped off Teacher Appreciation Week. "What a perfect way to end Teacher Appreciation Week," Galindo said. She added that it's great that the students are able to experience it and see all the great things that are happening in the classrooms. Galindo said some of the students told her they want to become teachers so they can get the big checks, too. "But seeing their teachers get rewarded is also wonderful. We're a family here on this campus, so we celebrate everybody, all teachers, all students. We really focus on celebrating everyone and their accomplishments," Galindo said. This is Galindo's last year at Zavala. She will be principal at Burleson Early Education Center. "This was wonderful. I'm so glad I was here to experience this with with my teachers. What a great thing to experience and just to celebrate them," she added.
