18/12/2025

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THURSDAY | DEC 18, 2025

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Maresca serenaded after hard fought win over Cardiff

Ű BY PHIL BLANCHE

“Now we have three hours to arrive to Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground) and I will watch two Newcastle games. “There is no time. Time is for the players. For us as a staff, we’re going to be focused on the next one, that is Newcastle, so we’re going to prepare.” Brian Barry-Murphy insisted Cardiff’s narrow Cup exit should be viewed as a marker, not a setback, after watching his side go toe-to-toe with elite opposition under the lights at Cardiff City Stadium. In front of a raucous crowd of more than 33,000, the League One leaders pushed Chelsea all the way in a gripping quarterfinal before eventually falling short, a result that left their head coach disappointed by the outcome but hugely encouraged by the performance “I’m very proud of the players and the effort they put in,” Barry-Murphy said. “When you score, it’s probably the hope that kills you. “I felt we were in the ascendancy at that point and had a great chance to maybe grab a winner, but it wasn’t to be.” Cardiff matched Chelsea for long spells and grew in belief as the contest wore on, particularly after dragging themselves back into the game and threatening to swing the tie in their favour. But the Premier League side’s depth and quality ultimately told as the visitors leaned on their bench to see the game out. “It was a really high-level test for us, but the players gave an amazing account of themselves.” – The Independent/Agencies

ENZO MARESCA declared himself “happy” after being serenaded by Chelsea fans following their Carabao Cup quarterfinal victory at Cardiff. The Chelsea boss made headlines by saying after Saturday’s win over Everton that the previous 48 hours had been his worst at Stamford Bridge. Maresca shut down multiple questions at his pre-match press conference on Monday about whom he was targeting, and said after Chelsea’s 3-1 win that he had not spoken to the club’s hierarchy following his weekend comments. “I’m just happy, we’re going to play another semifinal and I think it’s what the fans deserve,” Maresca said after celebrating with Chelsea fans at the final whistle and having his name sung by them. “It was a great moment, I appreciate, always thankful. In some moments when you don’t win games, they have been not happy, but it’s normal. But overall, the fans have always been there. “These are the kind of games that I fall in love even more with the players because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip, to slide, because they are tricky games. “Every season there are teams that they lost against, you know, League Two or League One. You need to pay attention, you need to do the right things.” Alejandro Garnacho struck twice and fellow

Chelsea’s Buonanotte (centre) is surrounded by Cardiff players during yesterday’s Carabao Cup quarterfinal match at Cardiff City Stadium. – AFPPIC

(Monday), the day after Everton, I started to prepare Cardiff. Focus on Cardiff. “Now I just said on the bus I will watch (Saturday’s opponents) Newcastle and I didn’t speak with anyone. I didn’t speak, no it’s OK. “I always said that I’ve been happy since day one. So it’s not that tonight I’m not happy. I’m happy.

substitute Pedro Neto was also on target as Chelsea’s substitutes proved the difference in the second half after David Turnbull had given the League One leaders hopes of causing a shock 15 minutes from time, equalising with a superb diving header. Asked if he had spoken to his bosses since the weekend, Maresca said: “No, as I said yesterday

National players pose for a picture during the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Vietnam at the Stadium National in Bukit Jalil in June. – AFPPIC

Fifa sanctions FAM, Harimau Malaya hit with three 3-0 losses over ineligible players Ű BY PHIL BLANCHE Huge blow

M ALAYSIA’S results in three Tier 1 interna tional matches have been overturned to 3-0 defeats following Fifa disciplinary action against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) for fielding ineligible players. The three matches affected are Malaysia’s 1-1 draw against Cape Verde at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras on

released the full 63-page grounds for its Appeals Committee’s motivated decision on Nov 3, which upheld the earlier decision by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee. That ruling saw FAM fined CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million). While the seven players were suspended for 12 months and each fined CHF2,000 (RM11,000). – Bernama

next course of action. Previously, FAM confirmed that it had lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over Fifa sanctions related to documentation issues involving seven heritage players – Gabriel Palmero, Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel. The decision to take the matter to CAS was made after Fifa

Disciplinary Committee deputy chairman Jorge Palacio, found that FAM had breached Article 19 of the Fifa Disciplinary Code (2025 Edition) by fielding ineligi ble players in three Tier 1 interna tional matches,” the statement said. Following the ruling, FAM said it will submit a written request to obtain the grounds of the decision from the Fifa Disciplinary Committee before deciding on its

May 29, the 2-1 victory over Singapore at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on Sept 4, and the 1-0 win against Palestine at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor on Sept 8. In a statement yesterday, FAM said the decision was made by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee, which met last on Dec 12, and also imposed a fine of CHF10,000 (RM51,000). “The meeting, chaired by FIFA

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