11/08/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | AUG 11, 2025

31

Chia wants back-up plan for SEA Games

Mixed-doubles pair secure first title NATIONAL mixed doubles pair Wee Yee Hern-Chan Wen Tse pulled off an upset over top seed Ratchapol Makkasasithorn

THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have been asked to consider naming two men’s doubles pairs, Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King and Choong Hon Jian

medal at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines. Last week, world No. 22 Wan Arif-Roy King clinched their maiden BWF World Tour title at the 2025 Macau Open, stunning top seeds from Indonesia, Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, 22-20, 21-18. World No. 43 Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal, who have been plagued by injuries this season, have so far won three titles – the 2023 Syed Modi International and Guwahati Masters in India, and the Orleans Masters in France last year. The 2025 SEA Games are scheduled to take place in three provinces – Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla – from Dec 9 to 20. – Bernama

chance (to bring home SEA Games medals),” he said when met recently. Late last year, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh had stated that the national badminton governing body was expected to send its best line-up to carry the nation’s challenge at this year’s SEA Games. Malaysia last won a gold medal at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, while in the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh, the national contingent only managed to bring home two silvers and four bronzes. Chia, who pairs with Soh Wooi Yik, previously won the men’s doubles gold

last February.

Wen Tse was delighted to come out tops in Thailand and hopes to win more titles with her partner in the future. “This is just the beginning for us and we’ll keep working hard to win titles in the future. Hopefully we can break into the world’s top 50 this year,” she said in a brief statement shared by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). Yee Hern-Wen Tse are next slated to feature in the Malaysia International Challenge 2025 which will be held in Perak from tomorrow. – Bernama

Nattamon Laisuan to claim their maiden title at the Thailand International Series 2025 in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday. The world No. 144 pair and third seeds took 33 minutes to deny the world No. 64 a chance to taste their glory on home soil in Terminal 21 Korat, 22-20, 21-16. This is Yee Hern-Wen Tse’s second win over the Thais in three matches since they first crossed path in the Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025

Muhammad Haikal Nazri, to represent the country at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. National men’s doubles ace Aaron Chia (pic) said the inclusion of Wan Arif-Roy King and Hon Jian-Muhammad

Haikal in the biennial games would align with BAM’s mission to field a strong line-up in Thailand. “I think BAM should send elite back up pairs like Wan Arif-Roy King and Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal. This is their

Cats make flying start

243/25

10/08/2025

7733 4014 2213

6061 2653 8579 9690 3828

9412 7106 1184 6348 2401

7928 2404 4918 0246 9844

5511 3766 7790 3529 4676

DPMM FC player Ramadhan Sananta (centre) in action with PDRM FC player Fadi Mahmoud during their Malaysia Super League match. – BERNAMAPIC

Kuching City thump Real Warriors to open league season in style

RM20,432,760.37

K UCHING CITY FC’S 4-0 victory over Kelantan The Real Warriors (TRW) in their opening Super League match of the 2025/2026 season on Saturday night not only secured three valuable points, but also served as an early morale booster for Aidil Sharin Sahak’s squad to face the challenges ahead. Kuching City FC assistant head coach Firdaus Morshidi, however, acknowledged that the triumph at the Sarawak Stadium did not mean the team could rest on their laurels, as there were still many aspects to improve on, given that several players were new and still adapting to the team’s style of play. “Overall, they played well. On the field they gave 100%, as they did in training before this match,” he said at the post-match press conference. “This win was indeed part of our plan to give the squad a positive momentum.” Commenting on preparations for their next match, Firdaus said the team’s focus is now on the FA Cup clash against Brunei DPMM on Saturday, before returning to Super League action against Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) on Aug 24. “We will take it step by step... Next, we focus on the FA Cup first, then meet JDT. Changes to the starting line-up for the next match will depend on the players’ fitness and injury status,” he said. He also expressed optimism that the Cats could go far in the FA Cup and Malaysia Cup if they maintain their performance momentum. “God willing, if we can go further, all the better. If we reach the final, Alhamdulillah . The target remains to win,” he said. In Saturday’s match, Wanja Ronald Ngah scored twice in the sixth and 71st minutes, while Joao Pedro (17th minute) and Ramadhan Saifullah (injury time) sealed a stylish victory for the Cats over Elavarasan Elangowan’s squad. In other Super League matches on Saturday, KL City FC also made an impressive start to the season, defeating newcomers Immigration FC (IFC) 3-0 at the State Stadium in Batu Kawan, Penang. The City Boys, who began the first half slowly,

match press conference. “I think KL has not won their first game in the last 30 years, they always lose the opener. We broke that pattern today, and I think it is very important for us to gain more confidence, especially because we have many new players,” he added. IFC head coach Yusri acknowledged that the match was challenging, especially as the newcomers still need work to gel and find their rhythm. “There is still room for improvement, particularly in fitness, and we must intensify our efforts to achieve positive results in the coming games,” he said. Meanwhile at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium, two goals in four minutes by South Korean import Park Tae-su in the second half saved PDRM FC from a surprise defeat against visiting team DPMM FC from Brunei, with the match ending in a 2-2 draw. – Bernama

broke the deadlock when IFC defender Mohd Rizal Mohd Ghazali accidentally turned the ball into his own net while trying to block a move by captain Paulo Josue in the 30th minute. In the second half, new KL City signing Muhammad Safawi Rasid compounded the woes of Yusri Che Lah’s squad by doubling the visitors’ lead with a header from Argentine import Manuel Hidalgo’s free-kick from the right in the 56th minute. IFC’s misery continued when a foul by Rafael Holstein on substitute Zhafri Yahya allowed Hidalgo to calmly convert from the spot for KL City’s third goal in the 83rd minute. KL City head coach Risto Vidakovic described his team’s victory as a promising start despite having limited time to gel the squad due to many new players joining. “We just brought many players together in a very short time. It is not easy to expect something special today. But of course, I am very happy with the result,” he said at a post

7733 + 2213 4014 + 2213 2213 + 4014

7733 + 4014 4014 + 7733 2213 + 7733

RM451,968.16

4 6 202123343536

8 15

Immigration FC goalkeeper Muhammad Zarif Irfan Hashimuddin (bottom left) in action against Kuala Lumpur City FC. – BERNAMAPIC

RM10,218,665.42

RM303,913.00

3 3 1 4 1 3 33141

31413

3314

1413

331

413

33

13

14

17

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