10/08/2025

theSun on Sunday AUG 10, 2025

SPORTS 15

Panthers ready to pounce

PENANG FC captain Stefano Brundo has expressed his excitement ahead of their opening Super League 2025/2026 clash against Terengganu FC at the City Stadium in George Town today. The Argentine-born defender said the Panthers had undergone thorough preparations throughout pre-season and are now in their best condition to face the season’s first challenge. While acknowledging that the Turtles are among the league’s main contenders, Brundo stressed that the team’s target is to secure all three points to give a morale

individual performance but relies on teamwork to secure victories. “With so many new players, this team is almost entirely refreshed. We want to win the opening match at home to prove that this is our fortress and to carry a winning mentality into Penang. “I believe we can do it with the effort and experience we have,” he said. Penang FC head coach Wan Rohaimi Wan Ismail said that although the squad consists largely of new players, most of them have extensive experience playing with competitive Malaysian League clubs. “In the last eight weeks, we have played several pre-season friendlies, including against Terengganu. So, we already know a bit about their strengths and weaknesses,” he said. – Bernama

everyone is eager to play,” he told reporters during a training session at the Kopa Arena field, Universiti Sains Malaysia, yesterday New striker from Ivory Coast, Tchetche Kipre, is confident that the squad, comprising many new faces, will be able to put up a strong fight against Terengganu FC. The player, who has eight years of experience in the Malaysian League, stressed that football is not just about

boost to the squad and supporters eagerly anticipating Penang FC’s resurgence. “We have worked hard to become a team that applies high pressing, wins the ball back quickly, makes instant transitions – rock and roll. “I hope everyone can see the fruits of our efforts in this season’s preparations. “We want to make the fans proud of this new team. Expectations are high and

242/25

09/08/2025

6694 4664 4069

Top class Munoz hails JDT players after Charity Shield win JDT players and staff celebrate after winning the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup. – BERNAMAPIC

9990 9287 3340 9734 4169

3803 7366 9659 6789 6754

3106 4969 4083 1174 1500

4046 1746 1340 5150 3393

JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM (JDT) head coach Xisco Munoz praised the attitude and high commitment shown by his players after defeating arch rivals Selangor FC 3-0 in the Charity Shield match at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri on Friday night. The Spaniard said the commendable approach from the start of the match enabled his charges to execute their tactics effectively to contain the opponents’ movements and score an early goal. He said although Selangor tried to mount a comeback, especially in the second half, his players’ discipline and focus were key to maintaining their intensity and sealing the victory. “I think in the first half the team had a very good start to the game, we control the game and scoring in the first minute was very important for us. “In the second half, we made some changes to give more balance, but overall, congratulations to the players because they gave everything. “I’m very happy because I know how hard they worked in pre-season. We just need to keep going, continue working like that, and we’ll go again,” he told a post-match press conference. In Friday’s match, JDT’s three goals

RM19,398,771.04

concentration, that’s football,” he said. The Japanese coach said JDT’s superior game intelligence was the key difference between the two teams. However, Kinoshi said that it is not a reason for them to give up in their pursuit to overcome the Southern Tigers, who are also 11-time consecutive Super League champions. “Of course there’s a huge gap so far but we can’t give up. We have to make the effort to approach this JDT,” he said. “They know football much better than us, when to dribble and when not to, which foot to control the ball with, even which part of the body to use for the first touch. “Small details like these, when combined, make a huge difference,” he said Kinoshi said his players needed sharper training sessions that focus more on decision-making speed and ball mastery. “We need tougher training conditions, quicker decisions and more touches of the ball. That’s the way to follow and approach JDT,” he said. – Bernama saying that the state government had agreed to propose the inclusion of the three sports in the 2026 Sukma. Mohd Najwan, who is also chairman of Sukma Selangor 2026 organising committee, said the proposal will be submitted to the Sukma supreme committee soon as the addition of sports must be finalised by or before Aug 15. However, Mohd Najwan said any decision is subject to the agreement of all state representatives attending the meeting chaired by Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. – Bernama

were scored by new striker Jairo Da Silva in the first minute, followed by defender Eddy Israfilov in the 64th minute and nimble winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi in the 73rd minute. The victory ensured JDT lifted the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Cup for the 10th time since first winning it in 2015. Meanwhile, Selangor head coach Kinoshi Katsuhito, who was disappointed with the defeat, said the early goal had disrupted the team’s game plan, but blamed his players for not being in the game right from the first whistle. The Japanese coach said that against a strong team like JDT, such mistakes would inevitably be punished. “The first goal broke our plan, but we have to be in the game from the very first minute. In the first and second minute, the players lost concentration and we conceded. “We have to improve on this because if we stay like this, we are not going to be winners. We must stay focused from start to finish. “JDT are a very good team, and they punished us in the moment we lost

6694 + 4069 4664 + 4069 4069 + 4664

6694 + 4664 4664 + 6694 4069 + 6694

RM247,060.88

3 7 121617192733

23 31

RM10,137,938.84

Additional sports for Sukma big boost for Perak THE Selangor government’s proposal to include three additional sports, namely petanque, Muay Thai and silambam, in the 2026 Malaysia Games (Sukma) is seen as giving Perak an advantage in securing more medals at the biennial sporting event. a major motivation, especially for enthusiasts of these three sports, to continue promoting them so they become popular and are consistently featured in future Sukma editions.

RM289,812.99

9 4 6 4 6 9 94646

46469

9464

6469

946

469

“Whatever it is, we hope that when the Selangor government’s proposal is tabled at the Sukma Supreme Committee Meeting, it (addition of these sports) will be approved, as it needs to be decided at the meeting,” he told reporters in Ipoh yesterday. On Friday, Selangor Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman Mohd Najwan Halimi was reported as

94

69

State Education, Higher Education, Youth and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah said this is because the three sports proposed for re-listing are among those that have contributed a significant medal haul for Perak. “In addition, we hope this will serve as

64

16

All jackpot amounts stated above are for this Draw. Subject to T&Cs of the Scheme. Please visit to www.magnum4d.my for more info. THE BIGGER PLAY IS TO PLAY RESPONSIBLY