08/09/2025

SPORTS MONDAY | SEPT 8, 2025

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Testing new combinations Palestine view Malaysia test as build-up to Asian Cup, World Cup

RESULTS

2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS EUROPEAN Group F: Armenia 0 Portugal 5 (Felix 10, 62, Cristiano Ronaldo 21, 46, Cancelo 32) , Ireland 2 (Ferguson 49, Idah 90+3) Hungary 2 (Varga 2, Sallai 15) . Group H: Austria 1 (Sabitzer 54-pen) Cyprus 0, San Marino 0 Bosnia Hercegovina 6 (Tahirovic 21, Dzeko 70, 72, Bazdar 81, Alajbegovic 85, Mujakic 90) . Group K: Latvia 0 Serbia 1 (Vlahovic 12) , England 2 (Garcia 25 og, Rice 67) Andorra 0. AFRICAN Group C: Nigeria 1 Rwanda 0. INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES: United States 0 Korea Republic 2, Mexico 0 Japan 0. PKBM promises full investigation into LLR incident THE Malaysian National Cycling Federation (PKBM) yesterday pledged to fully investigate the case of a cyclist who died after colliding with a car during the Langkawi Legendary Ride (LLR) race in Kuala Kedah on Saturday. PKBM president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said in a statement yesterday that its internal investigation will focus solely on the safety aspects of the race’s organisa tion. “We do not want to comment fur ther. Let the police conduct their investi gation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987. I was informed there is a video of the accident that has gone viral, but let the police investigate. “As for PKBM, we want to look into the safety aspects. I am sure all partici pants wanted the race to be held in safe conditions for riders on the road and to meet requirements such as whether there were sufficient marshals and police throughout the race to ensure a safe environment. “I believe something occurred that should not have happened. This is what we must investigate,” he said. Amarjit, who is also Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) president, stressed that PKBM always prioritises safety in all cycling events, especially those held on public roads, including adhering to Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) guidelines. “PKBM also complies with the requirements of the Royal Malaysia Police and local authorities regarding road usage procedures, closures, and the need for adequate motor escorts. “We always ask all race organisers, including jamborees, to obtain event sanction from PKBM before staging large-scale races,” he said. Amarjit said PKBM will await the results of the police investigation and extend full cooperation to ensure such incidents can be avoided in the future. He also urged everyone to remain calm and not speculate on the cyclist’s death during LLR while awaiting the outcome of investigations. In Saturday’s incident, Low Beng Seng died at the scene from severe head injuries along Jalan Kuala Muda, Kedah. Langkawi Police Chief ACP Shariman Ashari said preliminary investigations found the victim was riding with the Eagle Ride group in the 68-kilometre category when he tried to avoid collid ing with another participant. – Bernama

P ALESTINE described their friendly match against Malaysia tonight (9pm in Malaysia) as an important platform to test new combinations in preparation for the Asian Cup and World Cup. Head coach Ehab Abu Jazar said his squad faced challenges with sev eral key players sidelined due to inju ries, but the match would serve as a valuable opportunity to assess the potential of new call-ups. “This match is important because it also affects the Fifa ranking. We

though they are also missing two or three players, they are ready for this match. And also we know the local fans will give full support, which will make the atmosphere more exciting,” he said. Meanwhile, midfielder Oday Kharoub, who previously played in the Malaysian league said he respected all Malaysian players, including the naturalised ones. “For me, Malaysia has changed a lot since our last meeting, especially with the inclusion of naturalised players,” he said. – Bernama

others are new. So, it is a mix of expe rienced players and many new faces,” he told a press conference yesterday. Among those who will not be able to play tonight are Mohammed Saleh, Assad Al Hamlawi, Mohamad Hebous, Amid Mahajna, Musab Al Batat and Muath Barhous. On Malaysia, Ehab acknowl edged the Harimau Malaya’s steady progress, boosted by the presence of naturalised players, and recognised their pace and aggressive style of play. “Malaysia are a strong team. Even

want to see the abilities of nine to 10 new faces who have joined the squad this time. Although some players are injured, it is the best chance for oth ers to prove themselves. “We are at the beginning of the season, so honestly there are some challenges. The preparation period was either too short or too long, and many players haven’t played a match in a month. That is why there are muscle injuries. “Tomorrow’s players are not com pletely new as some have been with the national team since 2013, while

Yeoh wants more sports clinics YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh urged more National Sports Associations (NSA) nationwide to come forward and organise sports training clinics to develop the capacity of local athletes and coaches.

“I’ll give an example, sepak takraw and wushu, but we will look for the same funding for next year so that other sports can also receive such benefits,“ she said yesterday. Earlier, the former world champion held a four day squash clinic in an effort to support the develop ment of the sport in Malaysia, especially among local coaches and players. Yeoh said that bringing international sports experts into the country is an effective strategy to improve the skill level of athletes and coaches, espe cially when they do not have the opportunity to train abroad. – Bernama

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07/09/2025

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Lee strikes gold again NATIONAL wushu athlete Lee Jia Rong delivered a brilliant performance to claim her fourth gold medal on the fourth day of the 17th World Wushu Championships on Saturday in Brasilia, Brazil. Competing in the Daoshu event, Jia Rong scored 9.776 points to secure her first individual gold of the tour She said that the organisation of such clinics, which are supported by funding, has already started for several sports and its reach will continue to be expanded. “The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) has pro vided funding for these clinics, but it has not been widely publicised. But it has already started with some sports. BRIEFS

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Palace, saw the Malaysian world No. 8 bow out with a score of 7 11, 7-11, 11-7, 5-11 after 68 min utes of play. This marks

RM9,533,141.83

Orfi’s fifth victory in their six meetings. Sivasangari’s last loss to the Egyptian player was in the quarterfinals of the British Open last June. Meanwhile, national men’s squash player Ng Eain Yow suffered a similar fate losing to

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nament. Despite tying on points with Hong Kong’s Michelle Yeung, she was awarded first

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place due to a higher degree of difficulty in her routine. The bronze medal in

New Zealand’s world No. 3, Paul Coll, in straight games, 3-11, 5-11, 7-11. Harimau Muda trash Mongolia THE national U-23 squad revived their hopes of advanc ing in the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers campaign after thrashing Mongolia, 7-0, in a Group F match in Pathum Thani, Thailand on Saturday.

the event was won by Japan’s Kana Ikeuchi, who scored 9.723 points. This victory marks Jia Rong’s second medal at

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this championship, adding to the bronze she previ ously won in the Gunshu event. Sivasangari’s Classic title bid ends in London

The win placed Malaysia third in Group F, behind leaders Lebanon and Thailand, although all three teams currently have three points. The national squad will next focus on their final group match against the War Elephants’ youth team tomorrow (8.30pm Malaysian time). Only the 11 group winners and the four best runners up will qualify for the finals in Saudi Arabia next January. Speedy Tigers’ hopes dashed THE national men’s hockey squad’s hopes of reaching the final of the 2025 Asia Cup Championship were dashed after they went down 3-4 to South Korea in their last “Super Four” match in Bihar, India on Saturday. SThe result meant Malaysia missed out on an auto matic slot for next year’s World Cup, as only the champion of the tournament will qualify.

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NATIONAL squash star S. Sivasangari’s bid to defend her London Classic title was halted in the semifinals yes terday after a defeat to Egypt’s

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world No. 5 Amina Orfi. The match, part of the PSA World Tour Gold event at London’s Alexandra

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National wushu athlete Lee Jia Rong. – BERNAMA FILEPIC

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