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The Star
03-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
The night Asean football rose
THEY came dressed in Manchester United jerseys, ready to cheer for their favourite players at the recent Maybank Challenge Cup match. But as the game progressed and underdogs Asean All-Stars continued to hold their own, loyalties started to shift. For many in the 72,550-strong crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, it was a night where South-East Asian football took centre stage. The post-season match –Manchester United's first game just days after the English Premier League ended – became something special for local and regional football lovers. 'I wore red for United, but by the second half, I found myself cheering for the Asean team too,' said Nathan George, a lifelong Red Devils supporter. 'Their charges and how they held themselves against the visitors, were surprisingly effective and their fighting spirit eventually won me over. A group of die-hard Manchester United fans from Indonesia waiting to get into the Bukit Jalil National Stadium compound before the Maybank Challenge Cup match. 'The early part of the match was not very exciting. In fact, I believe the fans started Mexican waves in the stands to drive up everyone's spirits,' he said. The turning point of the friendly charity match came in the 71st minute when Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin swept the ball past United goalkeeper Tom Heaton, sending the crowd into a roar. 'Watching the Asean team fight so hard made me cheer for them without realising,' said another fan, Irfan Fareez. 'It was confusing, but in a good way. 'It started out as a friendly, but the All-Stars really made a statement on their abilities,' he said. The match marked the return of the English club to Malaysian soil after 16 years but ended with an unexpected 1–0 defeat to the All-Stars, a side assembled just days before. Despite the short preparation time, the squad, led by South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik, played with cohesion and grit against the English Premier League side. Throughout the night, the All-Stars frustrated United's attempts with firm tackles, tight marking, and confident passing. Datuk Ramli Sarip (centre) performing for spectators before the start of the match. Manchester United started with a blend of first-team players and younger talents, including Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund. They controlled much of the ball in the first half but were unable to break through a determined Asean defence. Thai goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai made several key saves, including one from Maguire's header and another from Sandro Reyes' shot. After the break, United brought on key players such as Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in search of a breakthrough. Fernandes came close with a powerful volley, but the All-Stars stayed organised and defended well. The winning goal came after a quick counter-attack finished smartly by Lwin, who had only just come on as a substitute. United pushed hard for an equaliser after the All-Stars' goal, but the Asean defence held firm. The referee's final whistle triggered a split of emotion from the fans, with most erupting in cheers and applause for the Asean side, while a dissatisfied portion of the crowd sent the Red Devils' off with boos. The Asean All-Stars and Manchester United players after the match. Kim, speaking to the press after the trophy presentation, was brimming with pride. 'We trained for two days but they played like they were together for 20 years,' he said. 'The team played with heart. I'm very happy with the victory,' he added. On the other side, manager Ruben Amorim admitted to his team's shortcomings. 'The boos from the fans? It's something we need. These people believe in Manchester United no matter what. It's our duty to improve,' he said. Before kick-off, a concert-like atmosphere featured performances by Datuk Ramli Sarip, local band Bunkface and Indonesian group Nidji. Organisers also presented a mock cheque for RM1mil to the Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation, with proceeds raised from ticket sales and sponsorships. Among those present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and regional guests who had earlier attended Asean 2025 related events.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Maung Maung's fame mounts after his goal seals dream victory
PETALING JAYA: If you didn't know about him before, well you will certainly know him now. Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin (pic) stole the show during Manchester United's post-season match against the Asean All-Stars at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday. The 29-year-old scored the winning goal against the Red Devils in front of 72,550 fans, finding the back of the net in the 71st minute. 'I could never have dreamt about this. I thought to myself, maybe this isn't a dream. 'I had one chance and it was the winning goal. 'It was not just for the team, but the whole of Asean. That's why I'm so happy,' said the Myanmar national team captain. Maung Lwin has been playing with the Myanmar national team since 2015, scoring his first goal in 2016. Known for his free-kick abilities, Maung Lwin started his professional footballing career with Hantharwady United in Myanmar in 2014, then moving to Yangon United in 2017. In 2021, he joined Thailand's Yangon United and currently plays in the Thai Premier League. The match was also a memorable moment for Indonesia's Kakang Rudianto, who was starstruck on the pitch. 'I never thought I would be playing on the same pitch as Alejandro Garnacho. It just gives me the motivation to keep working hard towards success. 'The match was really high-level football, and we went in with minimal preparation,' he said. Kakang recently lifted the Liga 1 Indonesian title with Persib Bandung, under former Kuala Lumpur coach Bojan Hodak.
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Teamwork key to Asean All-Stars's win over United, says Anwar
The Asean All-Stars stunned Manchester United in Kuala Lumpur with a 1-0 victory at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night. PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today stressed the importance of teamwork, pointing to the Asean All-Stars's victory over Manchester United yesterday and the successful conclusion of the 46th Asean Summit earlier this week as prime examples. He said the Asean All-Stars defied the odds to emerge the winners despite United fielding their first team early on in the post-season friendly. 'What did we learn from them? The importance of working as a team,' Anwar said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Office here today. The Asean All-Stars stunned United in Kuala Lumpur with a 1-0 victory at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium last night. The Asean team broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute thanks to Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin, who fired the ball in after being put through on goal by Australia's Adrian Segecic. Anwar also expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organising the 46th Asean Summit, which saw Malaysia host leaders from Southeast Asia, the Gulf nations, and China. 'I saw how they started their work early in the morning. They were amazing and persistent in their work ethic. 'I saw the lines of police officers involved in welcoming the arrival of VIPs at the airport, the customs and immigration staff, the drivers and the hotel staff,' Anwar said. He also emphasised the importance of staying humble and building friendships, citing Asean's diverse group of 10 nations. 'We have small countries like Laos, large nations like Indonesia, and wealthy ones like Singapore. Through our teamwork, hopefully we will see Timor-Leste becoming an Asean member by October,' he said. He likewise highlighted the agreement among Asean member states to present a united front on decisions related to the US's unilateral tariff measures. Speaking at a press conference after the 46th Asean Summit on Tuesday, he said there was a need to protect the interests of the 660 million people across the region, and that any decision should not come at the expense of other countries. On April 3, US president Donald Trump announced a series of new tariffs that directly increased import duties on Southeast Asian imports, hitting Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam the hardest.
Free Malaysia Today
29-05-2025
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean All Stars stun United to win 1-0
Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho tries to dribble past an Asean All Stars defender in search of an equaliser. PETALING JAYA : The Asean All Stars stunned English football giants Manchester United in Kuala Lumpur tonight with a 1-0 victory at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. The first half ended goalless with United fielding a strong squad with the likes of captain Harry Maguire, Andre Onana, Rasmus Højlund, Diogo Dalot and Kobbie Mainoo starting. United head coach Ruben Amorim made major changes at the break, with Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho coming on alongside youngsters Harry Amass, Toby Collyer and Chido Obi. The Asean All Stars broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute thanks to Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin, who fired the ball in after being put through on goal by Australia's Adrian Segecic. About 72,550 fans were at the stadium to watch tonight's match – United's first stop in their post-season tour.
News18
29-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Hope You Don't...': Malaysian PM Takes Dig At United Following Defeat In Friendly
Last Updated: United slumped to a 1-0 defeat as Burmese striker Maung Maung Lwin netted the line strike of the game in the 71st minute to condemn Ruben Amorim's United to yet another defeat. Premier League side Manchester United suffered further embarrassment on the back of their forgettable English top-flight campaign as they went down to Southeast Asian XI at Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday in an exhibition encounter between the sides. United slumped to a 1-0 defeat as Burmese striker Maung Maung Lwin netted the line strike of the game in the 71st minute to condemn Ruben Amorim's United to yet another defeat. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim added insult to United's injuries with a post mocking the 20 time English champions. 'Ouch! ManUtd failed to win the cup again. You'll have a headache next season too. Hope you don't get relegated to the Championship. Congratulations ASEAN All Stars, you are really STRONG!!!" the PM's post read. Aduh! Gagal lagi @ManUtd menang piala. Pening kepala juga hangpa musim depan. Harap tak turun ASEAN All Stars, hangpa memang PADUUUUU!!! #MalaysiaMADANI #MADANIBekerja #ASEAN2025 — Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) May 29, 2025 Amorim's men, who had to endure United's worst season since 1974 with a lowly 15th place finish in the Premier League, suffered yet another blow in front of 72,550 fans in Kuala Lumpur as Lwin got on the end of a ball threaded in by Adrian Segecic to belt in the winner to stun United. Amorim took charge of United midway through the recently concluded season as the 40-year-old Portuguese head coach joined the Mancunian side from Sporting Lisbon, where he experienced success with the Capital city side. However, his tenure at United thus far has been a torrid one. Amorim had the chance to clinch his first piece of silverware at United, which ultimately came to nothing as the Red Devils succumbed to Tottenham in the final of the UEFA Europa League as the Londoners ended a 17-year trophy drought riding on a Brennan Johnson strike that gave Ange Postecoglou's men a 1-0 win. The UEL title also entitled a berth in the upcoming edition of the UEFA Champions League. More To Follow… First Published:
