25/03/2025

SPORTS TUESDAY | MAR 25, 2025

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Nepal plan to squeeze Malaysia

NATIONS LEAGUE Quarterfinals, 2nd leg France 2 (Olise 52, Dembele 80) Croatia 0 aet(2-2 on agg) – France win 5-4 on pen , Germany 3 (Kimmich 30-pen, Musiala 36, Kleindienst 45) Italy 3 (Kean 49, 69, Raspa dori 90+5-pen) – Germany win 5-4 on agg , Portugal 5 (Andersen 38-og, Ronaldo 72, Trincao 86, 91, Ramos 115) Denmark 2 (Kristensen 56, Eriksen 76) aet – Portugal win 5-3 on agg , Spain 3 (Oyarzabal 8-pen, 67, Yamal 103) Nether lands 3 (Depay 54-pen, Maatsen 79, Simons 109-pen) aet (5-5 on aggregate) – Spain win 5-4 on pen . League A/B (Playoffs, 2nd leg) Belgium 3 (De Cuyper 70, Lukaku 75, 86) Ukraine 0 – Belgium win 4-3 on agg , Hungary 0 Turkey 3 (Calhanoglu 37-pen, Guler 39, Bardakci 90) – Turkey win 6-1 on agg , Scotland 0 Greece 3 (Konstantelias 20, Karetsas 42, Tzolis 46) – Greece win 3-1 on agg , Serbia 2 (Maksimovic 56, Vlahovic 90) Austria 0 – Serbia win 3-1 on agg . League B/C (Playoffs, 2nd leg) Georgia 6 (Haroyan 4-og, Mikautadze 14, 35, Chakvetadze 23, Kiteishvili 27, Kvar atskhelia 62) Armenia 1 (Sevikyan 48) – Georgia win 9-1 on agg , Iceland 1 (Oskarsson 2) Kosovo 3 (Muriqi 35, 45+3, 79) – Kosovo win 5-2 on agg , Slovenia 1 (Cerin 95) Slovakia 0 aet – Slovenia win 1-0 on agg , Republic of Ireland 2 (Ferguson 63, Idah 84) Bulgaria 1 (Antov 30) – Ireland win 4-2 on agg . Nations League (Concacaf) Final: Mexico 2 Panama 1 , Third plac ing: Canada 2 United States 1. AFRICAN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS Group D: Eswatini 3 Mauritius 3. Group F: Kenya 1 Gabon 2. Davies confident of strong start under new boss RIGHTBACK Matthew Davies has expressed confidence in Malaysia’s preparations for the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, stating that the Harimau Malaya are eager to kick off their campaign on a positive note under new head coach Peter Cklamovski. Speaking at a press conference yesterday ahead of Malaysia’s Group F opener against Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium tonight, Davies said they have adapted well to Cklamovski’s philosophy despite the short training period. “From the players’ perspective, we are satisfied despite having only eight days of training; we have learnt many new concepts from the new coach, so insya Allah we will get a positive result to kick off the campaign on the right footing,” the Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) player said. The 30-year-old defender also acknowledged the crucial role played by Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail in ensuring the team had access to world class facilities. “I want to thank TMJ because he has been supporting us a lot and always standing behind us. We were able to use the facilities in Johor, and that has helped us prepare well,” he added. However, Davies cautioned against underestimating Nepal, noting that their recent 1-0 victory over Singapore in an international friendly showed they are a formidable opponent. “We need to give them a lot of respect, but at the same time, we believe it’s about us tomorrow night. – Bernama RESULTS

NEPAL head coach Matt Ross is confident that his team can rise to the challenge against Malaysia in their Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers Group F opener at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium tonight. While acknowledging the speed and technical ability of the Harimau Malaya as key threats, Ross highlighted Malaysia’s “heritage players” as a major factor that adds a different dimension to their playing style compared to other Southeast Asian teams. “I think the heritage players offer something different from South-East Asian style. I think the speed and the technical ability of certain key players

will be a huge test for us. “We know how Malaysia play – fast, technical, looking to press high and play vertically. We have to be ready for all these aspects and adapt to a higher tempo than what our players are used to back home,” he told the pre-match press conference ahead of today’s match. Ross noted that Nepal had already implemented tactical adjustments in their recent 1-0 win against Singapore in an international friendly match and will adopt a similar approach against Malaysia. “You saw against Singapore that we worked to try to slow the tempo,

and we will do similar things tomorrow night. We will try to control the game, both with and without the ball,” he added. The Australian coach also emphasised that Nepal sees this match as a fresh chapter in their football journey, aiming to prove they can compete at the highest level of Asian Football Confederation competitions. Meanwhile, Nepal captain Kiran Kumar Limbu said his team are ready for a tough and competitive battle against Malaysia. The experienced goalkeeper also brushed off any thoughts of past

setbacks, including the 5-1 defeat to Malaysia in a closed-door friendly in Shah Alam, Selangor, last March, stressing that the team’s focus remains firmly on the present and future. “For me, the past is already gone, and I don’t want to dwell on it. It was painful, but now it’s all about the present and future. “We are fully prepared for this match, and as the coach said, it’s all about mentality. “We are really strong right now, and tomorrow’s match will be highly competitive. It’s all about the mind. The past doesn’t matter anymore – we are ready,” he added. – Bernama

Hungry Harimau Malaya Cklamovski says team well prepared, cannot wait for Nepal clash

National head coach Peter Cklamovski (left) and defender Matthew Davies during a press conference yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

M ALAYSIA are eager to kick off their Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign on a high note as they take on Nepal in their Group F opener at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri tonight. National head coach Peter Cklamovski yesterday expressed his excitement and confidence ahead of the crucial encounter. “We’re excited about tomorrow. From our perspective, the focus is all about what we do as a team. We’ve prepared well. “I want to acknowledge and thank His Royal Highness TMJ (Regent of Johor) for supporting us one million per cent in terms of the facilities provided to us, the hotel, the camps. Without him, it’s not possible,” the 46 year-old Australian told a pre-match

press conference yesterday. Cklamovski, who was announced as the Harimau Malaya head coach last December, also highlighted the positive atmosphere in the team’s training camp, praising the players’ hunger for improvement and their commitment to the team’s philosophy. “I’ve enjoyed the camp immensely. I’ve seen a group of players hungry to improve every day and that’s a really good approach to have for everybody, me included. Get better every day, that’s what we want to do. “I’ve enjoyed working with the players, laying down foundations of principles of our game, concepts of our game, which will make us a strong team,” he said. Cklamovski emphasised that

team performance rather than individual milestones remains the focus of his first match with the squad, saying it is important to make the nation proud and excite fans with their style of play. He also acknowledged Nepal’s 1-0 victory against Singapore in a recent international friendly, noting that Nepal will provide tough opposition but Malaysia remain committed to their style of play. “I focus on how we want to play and what team we want to be. But their victory against Singapore shows they’re going to be a tough opponent. They’re going to come here with confidence and motivation to get a result. “Am I expecting a perfect game from us? No, but if we can get our performance as a team right, with our

concepts, our principles in play, show the football we want to play, the result will follow,” he said. He confirmed that midfielder Natxo Insa has been ruled out after being placed on an individual rehabilitation plan. He said the decision was made shortly after assessing the player’s physical condition, adding that while Natxo has not trained in camp, he remains in decent shape and is focused on his recovery. Ranked 132nd by Fifa, Malaysia hold a better position than Nepal, who sit at 175th. Apart from Nepal, Malaysia will also play Vietnam and Laos in Group F, with only the group winner securing a spot in the final round, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia. – Bernama

Coach hails Mohamad Faisal’s return to national team NATIONAL head coach Peter Cklamovski has heaped praise on winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim, describing him as an exciting player who can trouble opponents with his attacking intensity. Cklamovski said Mohamad Faisal’s return to the national team is well deserved. progresses on his journey,” he told a press conference yesterday ahead of tonight’s Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers Group F opener between Malaysia and Nepal at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. The 46-year-old Australian coach also commended Mohamad Faisal’s adaptation to the squad, noting that all players have responded well to the eight-day training camp.

“Even for those not in the squad at the moment, we have an out-of-camp strategy to elevate every player’s level physically,” he added. On May 5 last year, Mohamad Faisal was splashed with acid by an unidentified individual at a shopping mall in Petaling Jaya, suffering fourth-degree burns on several parts of his body. He was treated in the Intensive Care Unit for about 10 days. This is the first time he has been called up to the national team’s central training camp since the acid attack. The 27-year-old Mohamad Faisal hogged the limelight again after netting a hattrick in Selangor FC’s 7-0 win over Kelantan Darul Naim FC in a Super League match on March 8. – Bernama

“It’s exciting to watch him in the national team setup. He’s a fantastic winger, an exciting player who has the ability to really hurt teams when he goes forward. “He plays with intensity and intent in everything he does. I’m sure this is a good moment for him to come back to the national team. “He deserves it and I feel like he has a story to tell. That will continue to develop as he

“I think he has adapted really well and so have all the other players. I’m really pleased with the physical outcomes we’ve seen from them. We’ve conducted tests to assess where we stand as a team and individually for each player. “What’s important is how we can continue to improve every player. We’ve had eight days in camp, but the focus extends beyond this period.