20/09/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | SEPT 20, 2025

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Nerves of steel World champions Tang Jie-Ee Wei storm into China Masters semifinals N EWLY crowned mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie Toh Ee Wei continued their journey at the China Masters 2025 by check “I took charge of the game yesterday, but it was Ee Wei who led the way with a clear mindset and direction today. We’re quite happy to win,” Tang Jie told the Badminton World Federation.

FIXTURES ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Yeoh slams MPC after show-cause letter faux pas YOUTH and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has expressed her disappointment over the action taken by the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC) in issuing a show-cause letter to national para-badminton cham pion Cheah Liek Hou. In a post on her Facebook account, Yeoh stated that Liek Hou did not violate any disciplinary code and that his actions were simply to claim what was promised to him one year after winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “This is not a disciplinary issue, but one caused by MPC’s own delay. Liek Hou is under the care of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) and is fully funded by the National Sports Council (NSC). “Any decision regarding Liek Hou’s status is not solely in the hands of the MPC. The MPC does not have the right to act on its own,” said Yeoh. The minister’s comments were in response to the MPC’s decision to take legal action against the athlete after he claimed the organisation was a “failure” on social media for not fulfilling its promise of a Paris 2024 Paralympic Games reward. Yeoh described Liek Hou as a diligent athlete who consistently brings pride to the country through his achievements on the world stage and she added that sponsors support and celebrate the success of athletes, not just the MPC. In a previous press conference, MPC President Datuk Seri Megat D. Shahriman Zaharudin said he would take legal action against the para-badminton player, adding that the MPC was also considering sus pending the player from participating in any related sporting events. According to media reports, Megat announced last year that a cash reward of RM60,000 awaited each ath lete who won a gold medal at the prestigious event. The reward was an incentive provided by three external companies to motivate national athletes to hunt for gold in Paris 2024. Malaysia ended its 2024 Paris Paralympic campaign with two gold medals from para badminton ace Liek Hou and powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin; two silvers from athletics through Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli (F20 intellectual impairment shot put) and Datuk Abdul Latif Romly (men’s T20 intellectual impair ment long jump); and one bronze from athletics by Eddy Bernard (men’s 100m T44, physical impairment). – Bernama CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (League phase) : Club Brugge 4 (Tresoldi 32, Onyedika 39, Vanaken 42, Diakhon 75) Monaco 1 (Fati 90+1) , FC Copenhagen 2 (Larsson 9, Silva 86) Bayer Leverkusen 2 (Grimaldo 82, Hatzidiakos 90+1-og) , Eintracht Frankfurt 5 (Sanchez 37-og, Uzun 45+2, Singo 45+4-og, Burkardt 66, Knauff 75) Galatasaray 1 (Akgun 8) , Manches ter City 2 (Haaland 56, Doku 65) Napoli 0, Newcas tle 1 (Gordon 90) Barcelona 2 (Rashford 58, 67) , Sporting Lisbon 4 (Trincao 44, 64, Santos 66, Quenda 68) Kairat Almaty 1 (Edmilson 86). RESULTS All matches at 10pm Malaysian time unless stated. TODAY Liverpool vs Everton (7.30pm) Brighton vs Tottenham Burnley vs Nottm Forest West Ham vs Crystal Palace Wolves vs Leeds TOMORROW Man United vs Chelsea (12.30am) Fulham vs Brentford (3am) Bournemouth vs Newcastle (9pm) Sunderland vs Aston Villa (9pm) Arsenal vs Man City (11.30pm)

unforced errors, we kept motivating each other and tried to find our winning strategy.” Ee Wei was also seen having a long chat with Tang Jie at match point (20-17), which she later explained was simply to calm her partner. “At match point, we just wanted to calm each other down. I reminded Tang Jie it was a close chase and we couldn’t afford mistakes. We’re happy to survive,” she said. Becoming Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world champions in Paris last month has clearly hardened Tang Jie-Ee Wei, who now face another tough task against world No. 1 Yan Zhe-Dong Ping today. Meanwhile, professional men’s doubles pair and third seeds Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani failed to reach the semifi nals after losing 16-21, 11-21 to Indonesia’s duo Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. – Bernama

ing into the last four yesterday. During the quarterfinals action at the Shenzhen Arena, the national No. 1 pair and third seeds had to endure a rubber set game before eliminating Hong Kong’s fifth seeds Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet, 21-12, 12-21, 21-17 in 61 minutes. Standing in Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s way next are home pair Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping, who thumped seventh seeds Guo Xin Wa Chen Fang Hui 21-11, 21-12 in an all-Chinese affair. Tang Jie, who had carried the load for an unwell Ee Wei in their second-round win over Indonesia’s world No. 12 Jafar Hidayatullah Felisha Pasaribu on Thursday, said the roles were reversed against the Asian champions.

“We struggled to control the draught, and our own mistakes – along with their better strategy – made it tough for us. But we pulled through with good communication and trust.” Ee Wei, who said she has now recovered from flu, admitted it took time to adapt to their opponents’ unusual style. The Malaysians had won their only previ ous clash against Chun Man-Ying Suet – a rare left-handed combination – at the 2023 Arctic Open. “We had only played them once a long time ago, and we needed time to adapt,” said Ee Wei. “Although we didn’t play well and made

Defeat not end of the world: Kinoshi

SELANGOR FC head coach Katsuhito Kinoshi does not regard the squad’s opening defeat to Bangkok United in the Asian Champions League 2 on Thursday night as a tragedy. Instead, the Japanese coach said his players showed resilience by scoring twice despite being reduced to 10 men in the 4-2 loss. “Two-goal difference for me is not a tragedy. We can see our players’ strong mindset when they didn’t give up (despite playing with 10 players). “In the second half, we have a good chance to equalise, they kept attacking and made the opponent tired. They did not give up,” he told a post-match press conference after the match at the Petaling Jaya City Council Stadium in Selangor. The visitors got off to a cracking start, with Ilias Alhaft getting the ball rolling in the 11th minute before Muhseh Saleh doubled their lead four minutes later. Selangor, to their credit, managed to pull a goal back in the 23rd minute when Chrigor Moraes neatly slotted home a cross from Quentin Cheng. But their joy was short-lived as Bangkok United restored their two-goal lead through Ilias just a minute later. If that’s not bad enough, Selangor then found themselves down to 10 men when Harith Haiqal was sent off in the 39th minute for a foul on Bangkok

United’s Seia Kunori. Undaunted, Selangor came back after the break looking to narrow the gap again, and their efforts paid off when substitute Aliff Izwan netted their second goal in the 73rd minute. However, Bangkok United killed off any hopes of a Selangor fightback when Philippe Maia nodded home goal number four in the 84th minute. Kinoshi admitted, however, that while the clash against Bangkok United was tough, the Red Giants made it harder for themselves by committing several tactical mistakes. “If the opponent is not so good, the mistake they make is not a mistake. But tonight, they played against a good team that knew our weaknesses and punished us. “We must identify these weaknesses and change for the better in the next match,” he said. Meanwhile, Bangkok United head coach Totchtawan Sripan was pleased with his team’s performance despite needing some time to adapt to the pitch conditions. “We knew it was going to be a tough match, and yes, it certainly turned out that way. “There were a few mistakes because I myself was not very familiar with the condition of the pitch, but we tried to adapt as best as possible,” he said. – Bernama

Selangor’s Nooa Laine (left) in action against Bangkok United during the ACL2 match on Thursday. – BERNAMAPIC

SHORTS

drew from all MFL-sanctioned competitions, for one full season, effective from the 2025-2026 season. “Meanwhile, KDA FC and Perak FC, which failed to obtain the National License 2025-2026, have each been suspended from all MFL com petitions for two seasons, effective from this season through to 2026-2027,” the statement read. It said all three clubs were also fined by los ing their entitlement to merit-based revenue distribution after the conclusion of the 2024/25 M-League season, as a consequence of violat ing the MFL Constitution. For the record, the MFL has, in June, con firmed that Sri Pahang would not participate in this season’s M-League despite being granted the National License, resulting in the top-tier domestic league, the Malaysia Super League, being contested by only 13 clubs. Farah Ann appointed CDM FROM dazzling crowds on the gymnastics floor

to now leading the country’s next generation of athletes, Farah Ann Abdul Hadi has been appointed as the Chef de Mission (CDM) of the Malaysian contingent to the Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025 in Manama, Bahrain, from Oct 22-31. Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) in a statement yesterday, stated that it believes the appointment, which was made in collaboration with the National Sports Council, symbolises the trust placed in a young and dynamic sports leader whose illustrious career is expected to inspire Malaysia’s budding athletes. “The OCM is very confident that Farah Ann would be able to inspire and motivate members of the Malaysian Contingent to excel at the upcoming 3rd Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025. “With her proven leadership, inspirational career and dedication to excellence, the OCM is confident that Farah Ann Abdul Hadi will serve as a role model for the Malaysian athletes at the 3rd Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025, motivat ing them to give their very best and to achieve success for the nation,” it said.

Pahang, Kedah and Perak FCs suspended SRI PAHANG FC , Kedah Darul Aman (KDA) FC, and Perak FC have been slapped with signifi cant penalties by the Malaysian Football League (MFL) following their withdrawal from competi tion and failure to secure the National License for the 2025/26 season. In a statement released yesterday, the MFL announced that the decision was made during its 15th Board of Directors Meeting held recently. According to the MFL, under its constitution, clubs that withdraw from the Malaysia League (M-League) will forfeit all benefits and be barred from participating in football activities as a sanction, pending decisions regarding the club’s status and management. “Therefore, the MFL Board of Directors has decided to suspend Sri Pahang FC, which with