23/07/2025

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JULY 23, 2025

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Nakhon Ratchasima. Terengganu had earlier signed four foreign players, namely Yan Mabella, Gabriel Costa, Junior Ngong Sam and Raianderson da Costa

“Landis’ arrival will provide more options in central defence, especially following the departure of several key players at the end of last season. “His presence will bring stability and composure to the back line, and in turn improve TFC’s defensive record, which was below par last season,” he said in a statement in Kuala Terengganu yesterday. Mohd Syahrizan said the 1.93m tall player has arrived in Terengganu and will begin fitness training this week. According to him, Landis last played in the Thai League with Khon Kaen United and

minutes to overcome their opponents 22-20, 21 12. It was the world No. 4 pair’s second consecutive win over the world No. 29 duo, having also beaten them in straight games at the Singapore Open last May. Tang Jie-Ee Wei will face Gao Jia Xuan-Wu Meng Ying of China in the second round on Thursday. It was a different outcome for another national mixed doubles pair, Hoo Pang Ron Cheng Su Yin, who were sent packing early after being beaten 21-15, 21-16 by Jia Xuan-Meng Yin in another first-round match.

SHORTS

Landis lands in Terengganu TERENGGANU FC (TFC) have signed up Brazilian-born defender Diego Landis as their fifth and final import player for the 2025/26 Malaysia League season, which kicks off on Aug 8. Terengganu Football Club Sdn Bhd (TFCSB) acting chief executive officer Mohd Syahrizan Mohd Zain said the 27-year-old Landis had signed a one-season contract with TFC.

Morais, better known as Careca. Easy for Tang Jie-Ee Wei

NATIONAL mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie Toh Ee Wei advanced to the second round of the China Open by defeating American duo Presley Smith-Jennie Gai in Changzhou yesterday. In the match held at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, the fourth seeds took just 35

Muhammad Azeem sprints into semis Asian Games bronze medallist only Malaysian to advance in 100m N ATIONAL sprint ace Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi breezed into the men’s 100ms semifinals at the and Kyle Brian Zinn (10.33s). In the men’s 400m, Southeast Asia’s reigning champion Umar Osman also qualified for the semifinals. He was among the fastest non-automatic qualifiers after finishing fourth in heat four with a time of 46.97s.

Foreign based quartet boost for Malayan Tigress

Czech Republic (46.48s) and Malta’s Matthew Galea Soler (46.82s). “It wasn’t my best time, but I’m grateful to make it through. I’ll aim for a stronger showing in the semifinal. The weather was okay, but the wind was strong – still, I don’t see that as an excuse,” said Umar, who holds the national record of 46.09s. His season-best so far is 46.25s, recorded at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, in May. In the men’s 400m hurdles, Muhammad Fakrul Afizul Nasir sustained a hamstring injury and finished with a time of 1:11.87 in heat two. Muhammad Aidil Azhar Azrul Hisyam was disqualified from his 400m heat for a lane infringement. On the women’s side, Malaysia’s challenge ended early. Chelsea Cassiopea Evali Bopulas (400m), Nur Afrina Batrisyia Mohamad Rizal (100m), Azreen Nabila Alias (100m), and shot put athlete Nani Sahirah Maryata were all eliminated in the qualifying rounds. Athletics competition at the Games will continue until the closing ceremony on Sunday. – Bernama

Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games (WUG) at Lohrheidestadion in Bochum, Germany, yesterday. Competing in the seventh heat of the first round under rainy and windy conditions, Azeem stayed composed and crossed the line first in 10.57 seconds (s), ahead of South Korea’s Joeljin Nwamadi (10.61s) and Canada’s Nikolaos Dowhos (10.72s). The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist was the only Malaysian to advance after teammate Aliff Iman Mohd Fahmi finished fifth in heat five with a time of 11.09s. Azeem, who studies at Auburn University in the United States and holds the national record of 10.09s, will compete in the semifinals today morning. “Actually, I conserved energy because I know there are two rounds tomorrow – the semifinal and the final. My goal today was just to finish the race uninjured,” said the 22-year-old. “ Alhamdulillah , it went well. Now, I just need to stay focused and maintain the right mindset. The weather disrupted things a bit, but that’s part of the game – no excuses,” he added. Thailand’s Puripol Boonson was the fastest overall in the opening round with 10.23s, followed by South Africa’s Bayanda Joy

Cameron Ng. – BERNAMAPIC

Ireland’s Jack Raftery won the heat in 46.39s, followed by Matej Krsek of the

NATIONAL U-20 women’s football squad head coach Cameron Ng is counting on the presence of four overseas-based players to bolster the team’s prospects ahead of the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in August. The four are Kanchenjeet Kaur Nanua (Miami Dade Sharks, the United States); Lauren Hoh Ruyi (Trinity College, the United States); Tegen Su-Yin Butler (the United States); and Dishanna Nagarajan Pillay (Vancouver, Canada). Cameron said these four players bring added value to the 26-player Malayan Tigress U-20 squad, thanks to their experience playing in high intensity environments abroad. “Our local players have very good qualities, but when players come from overseas, they bring invaluable experience, thus helping the local players raise their game. “Overseas-based players are used to playing in high-intensity matches in the foreign leagues. So, that will help raise the overall standard in our team,” he told reporters after the first day of the training camp for the national women’s Under-20 squad at the

Sime Darby Training Ground in Shah Alam yesterday. Cameron added that they have lined up three friendlies for the team – one international game against Singapore and two against local clubs – to help fine-tune the team’s preparations. He also said that the Malayan Tigress have no plans to take on the men’s team, preferring to focus on strengthening their competitiveness within women’s football. “We are heading to the tournament aware that (our Group F) matche will be no walk in the park. “Most importantly, we intend to give it our everything in the hope of getting the best possible results,”he said. The Malayan Tigress squad have been drawn with Japan, Iran and Guam for the Aug 6-10 tournament, which Malaysia will host at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras. The eight group winners and three best runners-up will qualify for the Finals in Thailand from April 1-18, 2026. – Bernama

National sprint ace Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi. – BERNAMAPIC

Walaza (10.27s)

National U-23 squad exit with heads held high THE national U-23 football team’s hopes of advancing to the semifinal of the 2025 U-23 Championship ended after they were held to a goalless draw against Indonesia in their last Group A match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Monday night. international level. “We changed our approach in the first half to defend and wait to counterattack, before piling on the pressure in the second half in hopes for a goal.

Istaf to decide on service rule change THE International Sepaktakraw Federation (Istaf) is set to finalise the proposal on the serv ice circle rule to allow the tekong to “fly the non kicking foot”, during its Council and Executive Committee (Exco) Meeting ons Saturday.

rule would bring fairness to players and restore the dignity of referees who are frequently criti cised despite making decisions based on the existing rules. He said particular emphasis was placed on Clause 11.1.4 of the Istaf Sepaktakraw Rules, which currently disqualifies a tekong’s service in the regu event if the non-kicking foot fails to remain inside the circle. “Meanwhile, the new proposal would desig nate the circle merely as a reference zone for the start of service, no longer as a “prison” or bound ary for foot movement. “The Video Review System, presented during the Referees’ Workshop in Hatyai on July 21 by acting Istaf president Boonchai Lorphiphat, also highlighted the need to review situations involv ing service faults, net contact, and out-of bounds balls so that referee decisions were sup ported by visual evidence rather than mere per ception,” he said. – Bernama

“I’m a bit disappointed to not be going to the semifinal, but overall, I’m proud of the increased performance by the team,” he said, adding that the squad would fully focus on the U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers after this. The experience would also be valuable, he pointed out, and promised to raise the team’s maturity and physical aspects. The match was a fiercely contested affair, with seven yellow cards shown by Japanese referee Takasaki Koji, three to Malaysia and four to Indonesia. The draw means that Indonesia tops Group A with seven points, followed by the Philippines (six points), Malaysia (four points) and Brunei last without a single point. – Bernama

ISTAF secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Kader confirmed in a statement that the official notice had been sent to all Council and Exco Members on July 11. The crucial meeting will be held in Thailand in conjunction with the ongo ing 38th King’s Cup Sepaktakraw World Championship. “This proposal aims to end the confusion and tension that often arise during matches when a tekong’s service is cancelled simply because their non-kicking foot fails to stay grounded, lifts off, or slips out of the circle even though such faults sometimes result from inaccurate tosses by the right or left inside players,” he said in the statement issued by Istaf yesterday. Elaborating further, he said the amended

Despite the result, coach Nafuzi Zain expressed pride towards his charges, especially the defence, singling out goalkeeper Zulhilmi Sharani for his excellent performance in fending off Indonesia’s constant attacks and keeping a clean sheet. “Congratulations to all players who displayed a high degree of fighting spirit. Taking on Indonesia in front of thousands of their fans isn’t easy, but the players managed to rein in their emotions and play with confidence, without hesitation,” he said after the match. He stressed that the young squad had improved from match to match, especially since many of them were playing for the first time at the