31/05/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | MAY 31, 2025

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Aaron-Wooi Yik book semis ticket Olympic bronze medallists only Malaysians left standing in Singapore

Alexander-Arnold to join Real before Club World Cup

LIVERPOOL have agreed a deal for Trent Alexander Arnold to join Real Madrid tomorrow. The new Premier League champions confirmed a deal had been reached for him to join Real prior to the expiry of his Liverpool contract on June 30, and Real said this would enable the England international to play for the Spanish side at this summer’s Club World Cup. The Reds confirmed a fee had been paid to secure the 26-year-old’s services at the start of June rather than from July 1, with Real announcing Alexander-Arnold had agreed a six-year contract. A Liverpool club statement said: “Alexander Arnold joined the club’s academy at the age of six and progressed through the ranks to make his senior competitive debut in October 2016. “He now departs Anfield after 354 appearances and 23 goals for the club, as well as lifting eight major honours alongside his teammates, which consist of two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups. “Alexander-Arnold leaves Liverpool FC with the club appreciative and grateful for his contribution to those successes.” The PA news agency understands Liverpool will benefit to the tune of £10 million (RM55m) from the transfer – a combination of a £8.4 million (RM46.2m) payment from Real to secure Alexander-Arnold’s services early, and money saved on four weeks’ wages to the player. Alexander-Arnold confirmed on May 5 he would be leaving Liverpool this year, and was booed by fans during their home match against Arsenal. However, he was warmly welcomed by fans at Anfield during the final game of the season against Crystal Palace last Sunday, with the player saying he had “never felt so loved”. He will join England teammate Jude Bellingham in Madrid, plus former Liverpool and Real midfielder Xabi Alonso. Alonso, 43, has succeeded Carlo Ancelotti as Real boss after the club failed to win a major domestic or European trophy for the first time since 2020-21. – The Independent/Agencies YOUNG DOUBLES shuttler Kang Khai Xing is not one to wallow in self-pity or dwell on things for long. And that explains why it took him just one day to get over the three controversial umpiring calls that went against him and his partner, Aaron Tai in their 10 21, 26-24, 16-21 loss to Denmark’s Rasmus Kjaer Frederik Sogaardmen in the 2025 Malaysia Masters last week. “That’s over and done with, I’ve come to terms with it. I was frustrated for just a day. The next day (after the incident) I was okay. “Hopefully, we can bounce back stronger in the next tournament,” the 19-year-old Khai Xing told reporters after a training session yesterday. Last Saturday, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said in a statement that they have made an official complaint to the Badminton World Federation (BWF) regarding the umpire’s decisions, which were considered controversial during Khai Xing-Aaron’s second-round clash against the Danes at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil. According to BAM, three decisions made at crucial points of the match between Khai Xing-Aaron, the 2024 world junior champions, and Kjaer-Sogaard had significantly influenced the outcome, thus raising serious concerns over the fairness of play. Meanwhile, Khai Xing admitted that he and Aaron are still adapting to the training style of national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi. “There is better chemistry between us but we still need to adapt to the coach’s style of play that involves no lifting (of the shuttlecock) during training sessions… we hope to continue improving,” he said. He also said that he and Aaron, who are ranked 53rd in the world, are still getting used to competing at a higher level, including against higher-ranked opponents. Although they still have a lot of room for improvement, Khai Xing is still hopeful that he and Aaron can win one more World Tour title this year. The pair are gearing up for three more tournaments this year: the Macau Open (July 29-Aug 3); Hong Kong Open (Sept 9-14); and Korea Open (Sept 23-28). – Bernama Khai Xing has no time for self-pity

N ATIONAL MEN’S doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik stormed into the semifinals of the Singapore Open with a tough 22-20, 21-17 win over Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun at the Singapore Indoor Stadium yesterday. The Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallists needed 33 minutes to dispose of world No. Wei Chong-Kai Wun. Aaron admitted that the first game was “quite challenging”, saying they faced several crucial points in their effort to defeat their compatriots.

“I think after the first game, we were more calm and relaxed. As you can see, it was much closer in the first game… we had three game points. Luckily, we won the first game,” he said. In today’s semifinal, Aaron-Wooi Yik will take on Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty after the India pair defeated Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei Nor Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani 21-17, 21-15. Earlier, top seeds Goh Soon Huat Shevon Lai Jemie went going down fighting 19-21, 22-20, 17-21 to Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran in a tightly contested 64-minute mixed NATURALISED striker Paulo Josue has attributed Malaysia’s 1-1 draw in the Tier 1 international friendly with Cape Verde on Thursday to two factors: the long break before the match and the short training period. He said it was tough for them to regain match fitness after a month without any competitive matches since the 2024/2025 Malaysia League season ended in late April. To make matters worse, the Harimau Malaya players only had 10 days of training before taking on world No. 72 Cape Verde at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras.

doubles match. Meanwhile, national men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao failed to advance to the semifinals after being outplayed 13-21, 11-21 by second seed Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. There was no joy for Malaysia in women’s doubles either when Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah capitulated 21-14, 22-24, 14-21 to China’s Zhang Shu Xian-Jia Yi Fan. It was Pearly-Thinaah’s second straight loss to Shu Xian-Yi Fan, who also prevailed in the semifinals of the Malaysia Masters last week. – Bernama coach in the second half created scoring opportunities. Overall, it was a great game for us to assess where we are at the moment,” he said. Malaysia will face Cape Verde a second time in a friendly played behind closed doors at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Tuesday. The friendlies against Cape Verde are part of Malaysia’s preparations for the crucial games against Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers at the National Stadium on June 10. Vietnam and Malaysia jointly top the group with three points each after winning their opening matches. National head coach Peter Cklamovski believes the draw is proof that Harimau Malaya is making steady progress. “For us, it’s a really clear focus on what we’re doing as a team and we showed that. It’s a reflection of every day that we spend together, the way we train, the mentality that we train with and the mentality that we have off the pitch as well. “Highest level, highest standards that we carry into every day with that mindset of getting better every day and tonight’s performance connected to that,” he said after the match. Cape Verde head coach Pedro Leitao Brito said he was satisfied with the result, considering the current composition of the squad, which includes 12 new faces. “We are very happy for the game, good challenge for us and Malaysia. I think both teams had chances to score but for us it’s okay because in this game we had 12 new players who did their first game for the national team,” he said. – Bernama heritage player Gabriel Palmero, who delivered an assured performance in his international debut despite being new to the squad. “He did really well, it’s not easy playing against that type of opponent. They’re world class. He showed a good individual performance but, more importantly, connected with a really good strong team performance and I hope that makes all Malaysians proud because he’s Malaysian,” he said. Cklamovski’s side will face Cape Verde again on Tuesday (June 3) ahead of the crucial game against Vietnam in their second Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers on June 10. Vietnam and Malaysia jointly top the group with three points each after winning their opening matches. “We will have a good recovery, then start building for the June 3 friendly, which will be another game to test ourselves tactically and also physically and then continue building for an important game against Vietnam,” Cklamovski said. – Bernama

‘Long break, short training time reason for draw’

“I can say that it was very hard to play after 30 days without any games. We only trained for about 10 days (training camp) and then we had this tough match to play. But, thank God everything went okay,” he told reporters after the friendly.

In Thursday’s clash, Josue came on as a substitute to emerge as the team’s hero by scoring Malaysia’s equaliser in the 79th minute, cancelling out Cape Verde’s opener by Sidny Lopes Cabral in the eighth minute. Despite fitness concerns, the 36-year-old Brazilian-born midfielder praised the team’s effort and tactical discipline, which enabled them to contain Cape Verde’s aggression. “The team did very well. We managed to hold their aggressiveness and control the midfield. Playing five at the back, plus four in the middle, gave them some trouble in the first half. “Then the tactical changes made by the

Malaysia’s Paulo Josue. – BERNAMAPIC

Local talent crucial for Harimau Malaya: Cklamovski NATIONAL HEAD coach Peter Cklamovski has underlined the importance of local players in his long-term plan for the Harimau Malaya squad. The 46-year-old Australian tactician also stressed that he makes no distinction between players and is committed to selecting only the best to represent the country. Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on Thursday night. In the match, Cklamovski fielded seven local players in the starting XI – a rare sight since the national team began relying on heritage and naturalised players.

However, it was naturalised striker Paulo Josue who came off the bench to score the equaliser in the 79th minute to deny Cape Verde victory after Sidny Lopes Cabral had given the visitors an early eighth-minute lead. The seven players were goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed; defenders Harith Haiqal Adam Afkar and Muhammad Ubaidullah Shamsul Fazili; midfielder Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor; wingers Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi and Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim; and forward Muhammad Safawi Rasid. The issue of relying on heritage and naturalised players resurfaced recently, drawing attention from observers and national football legends. Meanwhile, Cklamovski praised Spain-born

“Yes, definitely (importance of local players in his long-term plan) but, at the same time, I don’t differentiate between local or other players, they are all Malaysian players. “Whether they’re playing here or abroad, it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll select the best squad possible at the time. “I told you I believed in young players, Malaysian players, no matter if you’re playing in the Super League, the MFL (Malaysian Football League) Cup or you’re playing abroad, you’re a Malaysian player. That’s the mentality I have,” he said. He said this at a post-match press conference after Malaysia held world No. 72 Cape Verde to a 1-1 draw in a Tier 1 international friendly at the