04/01/2026

SPORTS 15 theSun on Sunday JAN 4, 2026

Malaysia targeting 55 gold medals at APG 2025

RESULTS

LA LIGA: Rayo Vallecano 1 (De Frutos 45+1) Getafe 1 (Arambarri 90) . SERIE A: Cagliari 0 AC Milan 1 (Leao 50) . FRENCH LIGUE 1: Toulouse 0 Lens 3 (Said 57, Thomasson 85, Ganiou 90+5) . ARIF AIMAN AMONG WORLD’S TOP DRIBBLERS HARIMAU MALAYA winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi has emerged as one of the most successful dribblers in top-division football leagues in the world, according to data released by football statistics platform Sofascore . Making the achievement even sweeter, Arif Aiman was the only Asian player to feature in the list. The 23-year-old Johor Darul Ta’zim winger finished fourth overall with 224 successful dribbles from just 35 matches, outperforming Jeremy Doku of Manchester City, who recorded 212 successful dribbles despite playing 17 more matches. At the top of the list was Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who registered 307 successful dribbles from 61 matches, followed by Brazil’s Guilherme Smith with 251 dribbles in 25 appearances. Third place was taken by Honduras forward José Mario Pinto, who recorded 238 successful dribbles from 53 matches. Arif Aiman is currently facing a lengthy layoff of three months after sustaining a hamstring injury that required surgery, performed by renowned sports doctor Lasse Lempaine. NO ISSUES AT AXIATA ARENA, SAYS PSM MALAYSIA Stadium Corporation (PSM) has assured that issues involving a leaking roof and condensation at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil during previous editions of the Malaysia Open and Malaysia Masters will not recur this year. PSM chief executive officer Ilyas Jamil said the replacement of the old roof at the venue has been fully completed, adding that several tests have already been conducted ahead of the Malaysia Open 2026, which gets underway on Tuesday. “The roof repair works are complete. “What happened during last year’s Malaysia Masters was due to a condensation issue, but we have taken the necessary steps to ensure the problem does not happen again. “Insya Allah, we carried out testing a few weeks ago and we are confident the same issue will not occur this year,” he told Bernama recently. Last year, the roof at Axiata Arena leaked during the first round of the 2025 Malaysia Open, causing water droplets to enter the venue and forcing several matches to be temporarily halted. A similar issue also occurred during the Malaysia Masters, although it was caused by condensation rather than a roof leak. SHORTS

schedule is quite tight; for the S8 category (physical impairment), there are four events in a single day, which I feel is not right as there is no recovery period for the athletes. We will raise this matter during the team managers’ meeting and other platforms,” said Mohd Zarrawi. For the record, the national contingent secured 50 gold, 38 silver, and 35 bronze medals to finish in fourth place during the 2023 edition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. – Bernama

to the Paralympic Excellence Centre in Kampung Pandan yesterday. Meanwhile, he noted that the contingent’s preparations was at 100 percent, with most athletes showing high fighting spirit ahead of the biennial sporting event. However, concerns have surfaced regarding scheduling issues that appear unfavourable to the national camp, particularly in swimming events. “I noticed the swimming

According to him, swimming and athletics are expected to remain the primary “gold mines” for the country, while badminton, table tennis, and cycling are also relied upon to achieve proud successes. “In Cambodia, we achieved 50 golds, and this time we want an improvement – we cannot compromise on that. By targeting 55 gold medals, we hope everything goes according to plan,” he said when met by reporters during the CDM’s visit

THE Malaysian contingent to the 2025 Asean Para Games (APG) has set a target of 55 gold medals for this edition, scheduled to take place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, from Jan 20 to 26. Malaysia’s Chef de Mission (CDM) for APG 2025, Mohd Zarrawi Ravi Abdullah, described the target as realistic following discussions with stakeholders, despite several technical challenges faced by the national athletes.

KRW fail to seize chances

Kuching City beat Kelantan to extend unbeaten run

307/26

03/01/2026

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Kuching’s Ramadhan Saifuldin (left) celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game during the Malaysian Super League match at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Friday. — BERNAMAPIC

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THE narrow 0-1 defeat to Kuching City FC in a Super League match at Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium on Friday night disappointed Kelantan Real Warriors (KRW) FC assistant head coach, Akmal Rizal Ahmad Rakhli. Akmal Rizal said the disappointment was due to the failure of the attacking line to convert opportunities despite his team dominating the match and creating several goal-scoring opportunities. He said the result was very disap pointing considering the team was play ing at home and was trying to find a win ning streak to improve their position in the Super League chart this season. “We dominated the game, followed the plan and attacked more, but failed to score goals despite the opportunities,” he told reporters after the match on Friday. According to him, Kuching City wisely took advantage of the opportunities they got when they scored in the first half, besides displaying high discipline in defence to maintain their advantage until the end of the match. In the match, Kuching City scored the only goal through Danial Amer in the 19th minute with a shot in the penalty box that beat Kelantan Real Warriors

goalkeeper, Damyanov Valeriy. The defeat saw KRW in 10th position in the league with 11 points from three wins, two draws and eight losses. Commenting further, Akmal Rizal admitted that the failure to score goals was also influenced by the quality and physical strength of the opposing team’s imported defenders. “Our strikers find it difficult to face the opposing defence physically and that makes it difficult for them to score goals,” he said. He said his team was assessing the need to add strength in the attack, including the possibility of bringing in new imported players, subject to the club management’s decision. “The attack is currently in a critical condition and needs to be improved to face the rest of the second round of the league. “However, as a coach, I accept what ever decision the management makes,” he said. The three points extended the unbeaten streak of Aidil Sharin’s Kuching City to five matches, further strengthening their hold on second place in a tight race against Selangor FC and Kuala Lumpur (KL) City FC. – Bernama Damansara United will face Terengganu FC. On the other side of bracket, 33-time Malaysia Cup champions Selangor FC will take on Kelantan The Real Warriors FC, with the winner facing either Imigresen FC or Negeri Sembilan FC, while Kuching FC have been drawn to meet Penang FC and semi pro Kelantan Red Warriors FC will be up against DPMM FC. – Bernama

RM20,810,019.20

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JDT start Cup defence against PDRM MALAYSIA CUP defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) will start their cup defence against PDRM FC in the first round of 16 match on Jan 17. Should they advance to the quarterfinal stage, they are set to meet either Melaka FC or Sabah FC.

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Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur City FC are drawn to meet semi-pro A1 League team Perak FA while another semi-pro team, UM

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