Latest news with #NicholasGuimaraes
The Star
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Malaysia fail to hit AFF U-23 semi-final target
Coming through: Malaysia's Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (right) vying for the ball with Philippines' goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF Under-23 Championship match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP PETALING JAYA: Harimau Muda failed to advance to the semi-final of the AFF Under-23 Championship after they were held 0-0 by host nation Indonesia in their final Group A match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Monday (July 21). They finished third in the group with four points, while Indonesia topped the group with seven. The Philippines were second with six points but would have to wait and see if they are the best runners-up out of the three groups in the competition. Indonesia dominated the first half with 70% but in terms of chances, they had six, while Malaysia had four good chances despite having less possession. The game was indeed frenetic as both sides were aggressive, which led to match referee Koji Takasaki brandishing four yellow cards, two for each team. The highlight of the game was Robi Darwis' throw-ins, in which the Indonesian made several dangerous long throws that made the Malaysian players be on their toes. Malaysia's first strong chance came in the 52nd minute when winger Aliff Izwan Yuslan unleashed a powerful free kick from 30 metres, but his stinging effort was palmed away superbly by Indonesian goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi. Five minutes later, Indonesia thought they had the lead when wingback Achmad Maulana Syarif made a low-drilled cross from the right, which was tapped by striker Jens Raven, but Malaysian goalkeeper Zulhilmi Sharani was able to save his attempt.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Harimau Muda face early do-or-die test at AFF Under-23 C'ship
Coming through: Malaysia's Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (right) vying for the ball with Philippines' goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF Under-23 Championship match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP PETALING JAYA: A bitter opening defeat but one that could serve as a wake-up call for Harimau Muda in their pursuit of a place in the AFF Under-23 Championship semi-finals. In their first Group A match on Monday, Malaysia's U-23 squad, led by head coach Nafuzi Zain, suffered a shock 0-2 loss to the Philippines at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday. The star of the night was Otu Abang Banatao, a rising 18-year-old Filipino striker, who struck twice in the 13th and 42nd minutes, punishing a Malaysian side that dominated the match but failed to make their chances count. Despite enjoying 72 per cent possession and registering 21 attempts on goal, Malaysia lacked the clinical edge in front of goal and were ultimately undone by defensive lapses. Team captain and centreback Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili didn't mince his words after the match. 'We were too careless while attacking and forgot about our defensive structure. Our defensive line was too high and the Philippines took full advantage of that,' he admitted. 'It's a lesson for all of us, including myself. We'll take these weaknesses and work to fix them.' The defeat now places Malaysia in a difficult position. With only the group winners assured of a place in the semi-finals, the Harimau Muda must now win the remaining group matches against Brunei on July 18 and tournament hosts Indonesia on July 21 to keep their campaign alive. Ubaidullah remains optimistic despite the setback. 'Yes, we've chosen a tougher path now. But as long as there's still a chance to reach the semi-finals, we will keep fighting and believe we can bounce back. Two wins must now be our mission.'
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Nafuzi's men rue poor finishing after shock loss to Philippines
Non-stop attack: Malaysia's Mohd Harry Danish Mohd Haizon (top) battles for the ball with the Philippines goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes during their AFF U-23 Championship match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. — AP PETALING JAYA: Malaysia were made to rue a string of missed chances as a clinical Philippines side punished them and trooped off with a 2-0 win in their opening Asean Football Federation (AFF) Under-23 Championship Group A game at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. The Harimau Muda could have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when winger Aliff Izwan Yuslan unleashed a stinging left-footed shot from the right, only to be denied by a sharp save from Filipino goalkeeper Nicholas Guimaraes. But it was the Young Azkals who struck first against the run of play. A swift counter-attack led by Javier Mariona set up striker Otu Abang Banatao, who calmly finished with a poacher's touch in the 13th minute. Malaysia nearly responded in the 19th minute when forward Haqimi Azim Rosli cut in from the left and rifled a shot that beat the keeper but crashed against the post. Despite enjoying 72% of the possession and creating 11 chances in the first half, the Young Tigers lacked the cutting edge to break through. Missed opportunities and a lack of composure in the final third proved costly. Things got worse in the 42nd minute when Banatao doubled the lead, this time latching onto a clever pass from Uriel Dalapo before slotting past helpless Malaysian keeper Zulhilmi Sharani. The 18-year-old striker's brace highlighted the Azkals' ruthless efficiency in front of goal. After the break, Malaysia turned up the intensity, pushing wingbacks higher up the pitch in search of a way back. However, the Filipino defence, marshalled superbly by centreback Gavin Muens, stood tall and unyielding. Coach Nafuzi Zain's men continued to dominate possession but were let down by a lack of creativity and decisiveness in the final third. Frustration grew as the minutes ticked away, with the Filipino backline repelling wave after wave of Malaysian attacks. The result leaves Malaysia with no margin for error. To stand any chance of a strong showing in the competition, they must now beat Brunei on Friday and hosts Indonesia on July 21 – both at the same venue. Nafuzi said ball-watching was the reason why they conceded the two goals but also asserted that his side did try to wrestle the game away from the Philippines. 'In terms of performance, we did well from the first minute to the end. We had our chances. In the first half, we made mistakes in defence,'' said Nafuzi. ''We allowed two easy goals. We didn't give up, we tried, had chances but just could not get it in the back of the net. 'From the beginning, we could see some players didn't settle down. We were ball watching and expecting others to help. I guess that led to the goals.'
