Latest news with #ShazliShaik
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
M-League to take a break to help Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: The M-League will take a break to enable Malaysia to send their strongest national team to the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup from Aug 26-Sept 9 in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The Malaysian Football League (MFL) said that the M-League, scheduled to start on Aug 8, will take a short break during the CAFA Cup, thus allowing the national team to call up the best available players for the tournament. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said: "Since the CAFA Cup takes place just before the Fifa window, we are giving way to the national team. "We know that assembling the national team will involve players from major clubs such as Johor Darul Ta'zim, Selangor and possibly Sabah and KL City. "Priority will be given to the national team, and during that period, there will be no league matches," he said. The CAFA Nations Cup will feature eight teams, including 2026 World Cup qualifiers Iran (world No. 18) and Uzbekistan (No. 57). The other expected participants are Oman (No. 77), Kyrgyzstan (No. 103), Tajikistan (No. 104), Turkmenistan (No. 142), and Afghanistan (No. 160). Shazli stressed that the national team's agenda would not disrupt the M-League, as no fixtures will be postponed to accommodate Harimau Malaya. "There's no issue of postponement as the league calendar is yet to be released. We've taken the national team's request into consideration to ensure it doesn't interfere with league proceedings. "In the past, such requests were made while the league was already ongoing. We're now in constant communication with the national team."
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
MFL to pause M-League for Harimau Malaya's sake
KUALA LUMPUR: Harimau Malaya are expected to assemble a full-strength squad, comprising the best players from the M-League clubs, for the CAFA Nations Cup on Aug 26-Sept 9. Although the M-League is scheduled to begin on Aug 8, the Malaysian Football League (MFL) has confirmed the league will pause temporarily to allow the national team to field their strongest side for the Central Asian tournament. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik said supporting the national team remains a key priority for the league organisers. "As part of managing the league, our priority is also to support the national team," said Shazli. "The CAFA Cup will begin a few days before the FIFA international window opens. "When the national players are assembled, it usually involves key clubs like Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), Selangor, Sabah and KL City. "During that period, the M-League will take a short break." The CAFA Nations Cup has attracted top teams, including world No. 18 Iran and world No. 57 Uzbekistan, who have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Also expected to feature are Oman (world No. 77), Kyrgyzstan (No. 103), Tajikistan (No. 104), Turkmenistan (No. 142) and Afghanistan (No. 160). Shazli also assured that the national team's commitments will not disrupt the league calendar, as fixtures will be adjusted in advance to avoid postponements. "There won't be any match delays because the league schedule hasn't been finalised yet," he said. "We've taken the national team's plans into consideration early, so it won't interfere with the league's flow. "In the past, such requests were made after the league had already started. This time, we're in constant communication with the national team and have planned accordingly. "We're also working closely with all clubs to ensure they understand and support this approach," he added.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Ticket sales hit 60 per cent for JDT-Sri Pahang Malaysia Cup final
KUALA LUMPUR: Ticket sales for the Malaysia Cup final between Sri Pahang and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) are beginning to pick up with just three days to go before Saturday's showdown. According to the Malaysian Football League (MFL), 60 per cent of tickets have already been sold for the final, which will be held at the 85,500-capacity National Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Both clubs have been allocated 33,600 tickets each for their supporters. JDT, the overwhelming favourites, are gunning for a third consecutive treble, having already bagged the Super League and FA Cup. Underdogs Pahang, meanwhile, are chasing their first major title since lifting the FA Cup in 2018. MFL acting chief executive officer Shazli Shaik confirmed the surge in sales. "Ticket sales are showing positive movement from both Sri Pahang and JDT supporters following the announcements we've made recently." Speaking at the FA of Malaysia's Hari Raya open house at Wisma FAM in Petaling Jaya today (April 23), Shazli also revealed that a lucky draw is being held to entice more buyers, with prizes including three motorcycles, an electric scooter and electronic gadgets for online purchasers. "We expect ticket sales to reach 80 per cent through combined marketing efforts from MFL, media coverage and social media promotions," he said. Earlier reports suggested that only 13,000 tickets had been sold to Sri Pahang fans, while the response from Johor was also said to be lukewarm.
