04/08/2025

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MONDAY | AUG 4, 2025

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Wan Arif-Roy King end drought, crowned Macau Open champions

NATIONAL men’s doubles pair Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Yap Roy King clinched their long awaited first BWF World Tour title by winning the Macau Open badminton championship yesterday. The Malaysian duo showed grit and determination in the opening set, edging out Indonesia’s Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 22-20. Despite disruptions in the second set caused by water dripping from the air-conditioning system onto the court, Wan Arif-Roy King stayed focused to close out the match and seal the win.

US$29,230 (RM125,018), while Sabar-Moh Reza received US$14,060 (RM60,135) as runners-up. Earlier, national men’s singles player Justin Hoh fell short of claiming his first World Tour title, losing 15-21, 5-21 to Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. The 21-year-old, ranked world No. 45, was outplayed by the world No. 25 and reigning 2023 world junior champion. Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles final, Jimmy Wong and Lai Pei Jing were denied a historic victory for Malaysia, going down 13-21, 16-21 to Denmark’s Alexandra Boje and Mathias Christiansen.

previous best finish as runners-up at the 2023 Spanish Masters. Under the guidance of national doubles head coach Herry IP, Malaysia’s men’s doubles squad has enjoyed a surge in form, collecting five titles this season. Top pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik secured three (Asian Championships, Thailand Open, Singapore Open), Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun added one (Malaysia Masters), and now Wan Arif Roy King have joined the winners’ circle with their success in Macau. The Malaysian pair walked away with a prize of

Ranked No. 24 in the world, they delivered a confident and energetic performance to overcome the world No. 8 Indonesian pair at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. The match lasted 80 minutes and was repeatedly halted due to the slippery court conditions, which posed safety risks to the players. The victory not only marked their maiden World Tour title but also served as sweet revenge after losing their last three encounters against the Indonesians. It was a clear improvement from their

‘For better or worse’ Fernandes makes decision on quitting Manchester United after new Saudi Arabia offer B RUNO FERNANDES reportedly has no interest in leaving Manchester United this summer, despite renewed interest from the Saudi Pro League. The play a key figure at United next season as they bid to return to European football after an incredibly underwhelming 2024/25 campaign which saw them struggle in the Premier League before losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final. Although a major sale for me not to go. “I want to play at the highest possible level. I want to play major competitions. I know I still can and I want to be happy doing the thing I love the most. For better or worse, this is how I see football and I’m passionate about football and this is the decision I’ve made.” were defeated 2-1 by Serie A club Atalanta in a pre-season friendly and following that match, RB Leipzig managing director for sport Marcel Schafer addressed Sesko’s absence when asked to comment on it. maker has been heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer but

“We won’t go into detail on that but when I say that several clubs have shown strong interest and have made approaches, it’s obvious what has happened,” he explained. Earlier, reports in Slovenia suggested Sesko had been convinced to join Newcastle instead of United this summer. But Magpies boss Eddie Howe was unable to shed any light on the transfer developments when asked about Sesko in the Far East, where Newcastle are currently enjoying a pre-season tour. “I am sorry to sound like a broken record, I am aware of what is happening but I am not dealing with it,” Howe said. “We are looking at the best players we can get. We are only looking at the best we can get, I see all situations open and available to us.”I feel that is the only way we are going to get where we want to go, which is to maximise quality over quantity.” –Express Newspapers

the midfielder looks set to stay on. Ruben Amorim is in the heart of rebuilding his United ranks this summer, with reinforcements being eyed at both ends of the pitch. However, his budget has been limited at times, prompting conversations about whether Fernandes could be sold for big money to pave the way for incomings. Al Hilal made an attempt to

Meanwhile, the Red Devils may still be able to get their hands on Benjamin Sesko this summer as RB Leipzig have reportedly rejected a £70 million (RM397m) offer from Newcastle. The Red Devils and the Magpies are both pursuing the striker, who has bagged 27 Bundesliga goals during his two seasons in Germany. Sesko moved to Leipzig from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2023 and has since carved out a reputation as one of the most talented young strikers in Europe. He has plenty of admirers in the Premier League and previously attracted interest from Arsenal before the Gunners opted to sign Viktor Gyokeres. And Sesko is now said to be impressed by United after being made aware of Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans. Newcastle appeared to have jumped above United as the frontrunners to land Sesko, with the Magpies potentially preparing to lose Alexander Isak to Liverpool this summer. According to The Athletic , Leipzig have asked interested clubs to stump up an initial £65.5 million (RM372m) plus add-ons as well as a sell-on clause in order to sanction Sesko’s exit.

would grant the Red Devils further spending power in the market, it is not something that the club are looking to do – and Fernandes even revealed that the club made their stance clear earlier this summer amid interest from Al Hilal. He said:

“Manchester United said they didn’t want to sell me. They said if I wanted to go I could, but they didn’t need the money. I spoke to coach Ruben Amorim who, throughout that period, was pushing

sign the Portugal international for £86 million (RM488m) ahead of the Club World Cup, with an incredibly lucrative contract offer being discussed. However, Fernandes snubbed the offer in favour of staying put in Europe. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are now the latest side to set their sights on the 30 year-old, but transfer expert Ben Jacobs reports that he is set to snub a move to the Middle East once again. The approach from the Saudi side has been described as ‘informal’, and it has not changed Fernandes’ career plans. The ex-Sporting star intends to spend at least one more season

But Newcastle have only tabled a bid of £65.5m plus just over £4 million (RM23m) in add-ons. And the German club see the offer as insufficient. The report also claims that United are continuing their pursuit of the

at the Theatre of Dreams, and he remains ‘firm’ that he is not looking to leave the Red Devils

prior. Fernandes wants to remain at the club and c o n t i n u e battling it out in Europe – which will be music to the ears of Amorim. Fernandes is expected to, once again, be

Hamilton succession plan ready

S l o v e n i a international but are yet to make a bid for the ace. Sesko was left out of the Leipzig squad

- Story on page 30

on Saturday as his team

Bruno Fernandes

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