Latest news with #VelezSarsfield
The Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Machucha missed birth of first child to be with Malaysian team ahead of Vietnam clash
Latest Malaysian footballer Imanol Machuca. PETALING JAYA: The country comes first rather than family for mixed heritage footballer Imanol Machuca. The 25-year-old missed the birth of his first born baby boy back in Argentina in order to be with the national football team for the all-important 2027 Asian Cup third-round qualifier against Vietnam on Tuesday. His wife Ailen Bernardi, a personal trainer, gave birth at the start of the week but Imanol was already on board the plane on a 30-hour journey from Roldan. "My beautiful baby boy," Machuca announced on his Instagram. And Machuca certainly has all the motivation he needs to help Malaysia end their long winless drought against Vietnam. Machuca, a winger who plays for Velez Sarsfield on loan from Brazilian side Fortaleza, is one of the five Malaysians abroad who joined the national team led by Australian coach Peter Cklamovski earlier this week. The others are strikers Joao Figueiredo and Rodrigo Holgado; and defenders Jon Iranzabal and Facundo Garces. "Malaysia have given all the best to me since I arrived to join the training camp earlier in the week. "I genuinely feel it is something special to represent the Harimau Malaya. It is a big honour for me and I will give it my all," added Machuca, who are among the youngest mixed heritage players in the national team. Cklamovski yesterday released the list of 30 players for the third and final phase of training, leaving out Syamer Kutty Abba, Ahmad Zikri Khalil and Haqimi Azim. The final list includes Dion Cools, who just arrived from Japan on Friday to join the training camp. Malaysia's last victory over Vietnam came in 2014. Since then, the Golden Star Warriors have won seven of their eight meetings in all competitions, with one match ending in a draw. Their most recent encounter was a 3-0 defeat for Malaysia in the 2022 AFF Cup group stage - now renamed the Asean Championship. Both nations sit level at the top of Group F with three points each, having won their opening matches. The Team Goalkeepers: Azri Ghani, Haziq Nadzli, Sikh Izhan, Syihan Hazmi. Defenders: Corbin Ong, Daniel Ting, Dion Cools, Facundo Garces, Gabriel Palmero, Harith Haiqal, Jon Irazabal, Junior Eldstal, Matthew Davies, Quentin Cheng, Shahrul Saad, Ubaidullah Shamsul. Midfielders: Afiq Fazail, Endrick Dos Santos, Hector Hevel, Nazmi Faiz, Nooa Laine, Stuart Wilkin. Strikers: Arif Aiman Hanapi, Faisal Halim, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Paulo Josue, Rodrigo Holgado, Romel Morales, Safawi Rasid.
The Star
5 days 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
6 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.
New York Times
7 days ago
- General
- New York Times
Nottingham Forest hope Nicolas Dominguez will recover from knee injury before start of new season
Nottingham Forest hope that Nico Dominguez will recover for the start of the new Premier League season after the midfielder suffered a knee injury. Dominguez has had to withdraw from international duty with Argentina because of the problem, which has seen him require treatment to repair a meniscus issue. Advertisement The 26-year-old established himself as a regular under Nuno Espirito Santo in the final stages of the campaign, as Forest secured European football for the first time in three decades. His form was enough to earn him a call-up for the World Cup qualifiers in Chile on June 6 and at home to Colombia on June 11. Dominguez last played for his country in a 0-0 draw with Brazil in November 2021, but will have to wait a little while longer for his next cap. Dominguez, who signed from Bologna in September 2023, made 23 starts and 11 substitute appearances in the top flight for Forest last season, as Forest pushed for a top-five finish – before ultimately finishing seventh, to secure a place in the Conference League next season. The player, who began his career at Velez Sarsfield in his home country, will be assessed in the coming weeks and throughout pre-season. But there is a hope that he could yet return for the start of the new campaign in August, if his recovery timeline goes positively.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
River Plate secure second spot in Group B with 4-1 win over Velez
River Plate secure second spot in Group B with 4-1 win over Velez BUENOS AIRES - River Plate completed the first phase of the Argentine Primera Division Apertura tournament as runners-up in Group B with a commanding 4-1 home win over Velez Sarsfield on Sunday, setting up a last-16 clash with Barracas Central. River's victory at the Mas Monumental stadium left them second in Group B on 31 points, four behind leaders Rosario Central. They advanced to the second phase and round of 16, where they will face Barracas, who finished seventh in Group A. Sebastian Driussi opened the scoring for the home side in the 14th minute, capitalising on a save that fell into his path after Franco Mastantuono's shot was blocked. Facundo Colidio doubled the lead in the 28th minute with a dazzling run beating the Velez defence before finishing with aplomb. The third came five minutes later when goalkeeper Randall Rodriguez failed to hold Mastantuono's shot and the youngster managed to recover the ball to set up Ignacio Fernandez for a fine finish. Velez threatened briefly before half-time when Maher Carrizo reduced the deficit with a clinical finish after latching onto Agustin Bouzat's incisive through ball on the counter-attack. Despite the lead, Boca piled on the pressure in the second half after a heavy downpour, which did nothing to dampen the spirits of the thousands of home fans who sang their hearts out. But the visitors defended well, with goalkeeper Rodriguez making amends by denying Fabrizio Bustos and Mastantuono, and they even went close to adding a second through Elias Gomez and Thiago Silvero. Marcelo Gallardo's men maintained their intensity and sealed victory late on when Miguel Borja converted from the spot after Manuel Lanzini was fouled by Valentin Gomez, who was shown a red card. Velez finished 13th with no chance of qualifying for the second phase. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
