07/02/2026

SPORTS SATURDAY | FEB 7, 2026

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Time to up the game All England best platform to gauge Khai Xing-Aaron’s progress, says Herry T HE All England Badminton Championships in Birmingham from March 3-8 will be the best platform to gauge Kang Khai Xing-Aaron Tai’s ability level, but his partner (Khai Xing) needs to train harder, especially when it comes to speed and power,” he said.

RESULTS

JOHO R (JDT) advanced to the semifinals of the 2025/26 Asean Club Championship after drawing 1-1 with Vietnam’s Nam Dinh FC at Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh, Vietnam on Thursday night. The result saw the Southern Tigers finish second in Group B with 11 points, while Nam Dinh topped the group with 13 points. Thursday’s match saw both teams start aggressively in search of goals in the first half. JDT nearly broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Muhammad Syahmi Safari took a freekick awarded by the referee, but his effort was denied by goalkeeper Nguyen Manh Tran. The hosts opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after Nguyen Van Vi slotted home the rebound from a pen alty taken by teammate Caio Cesar. In the second half, the Malaysian side, who missed several chances, finally equalised through a penalty converted by Bergson da Silva in the 89th minute, with the score remaining 1-1 until the final whistle. JDT head coach Xisco Munoz called the performance of Andoni Zubiaurre “decisive” after the keeper started ahead of Syihan Hazmi and stopped two spot-kicks – although Nguyen scored from one via a rebound. “We know his quality because we work with him every day,” Munoz said of the Spaniard. “We also have a very good goal keeper in Syihan, who has been per forming very well this season. “Today we decided to give him the opportunity, and he was decisive, especially saving two penalties, which is not easy. I am very happy for him because I know how hard he works every day, and when he gets the chance, he shows his level.” Zubiaurre’s selection was one of several changes made to the starting line-up by Munoz and the coach was pleased his altered side was able to secure a share of the points. “We made some rotations in the team, which was important, and we managed to get a positive result here with a 1–1 draw,” he said. “There were two or three key actions in defensive transition where they created danger, and we also had two or three good chances in the first 50 minutes where we could have scored the winning goal. “After that, we had to make some changes and push forward to try and take all three points. Both teams com peted well and played with good rhythm. It was a good game, both teams fought in a good way, and in the end we take the point.” As Group B runners-up, JDT are scheduled to face Buriram United in May, while Selangor will take on Nam Dinh. – Bernama/Agencies JDT book semis berth F R ENCH CUP: (Round of 16) : S tras bourg 3 (Godo 7, Enciso 55, 61) Monaco 1 (Biereth 58) . DA R UL TA’ZIM COPA DEL R EY (Quarterfinals) : R eal Betis 0 Atletico Madrid 5 (Hancko 12, Simeone 30, Lookman 37, Griezmann 62, Almada 83) . ITALIAN CUP (Quarterfinal) : Atalanta 3 (Scamacca 27-pen, Sulemana 77, Pasalic 85) Juventus 0.

the fight we put up for every point in every game. “Of course, I am sad, but as an athlete, I also need to brace myself for all kinds of things. Criticism is normal. If there is no criticism, we won’t be able to improve. But not to the extent of hurling insults… that’s what scares me,” she told reporters after a training session in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Previously, the 25-year-old revealed that per sonal attacks had been directed at her parents fol lowing a series of uninspiring performances in earlier tournaments with her partner, Chen Tang Jie. Ee Wei-Tang Jie, the 2025 world mixed doubles champions, silenced their critics by lifting the Indonesia Masters title in Jakarta last month by defeating Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen Alexandra Boje 15-21, 21-17, 21-11. Ee Wei, though disappointed with the brick bats, is grateful for the solid support from her fans, who continue to spur her on to bring glory to the country. – Bernama

Herry also hopes that the world No. 35-ranked Khai Xing and Aaron can maintain their consis tency for the first six months of this year and qual ify to play in higher-status World Tour champion ships, such as the Super 500 and Super 750. Having said that, Herry does not rule out the possibility of breaking up the partnership if they fail to achieve the desired results within that time. In related news, national mixed doubles player Toh Ee Wei called on Malaysians to unite and sup port Malaysian shuttlers in their quest to bring glory to the country. She said they are willing to accept constructive criticism when they play badly, but not insults from the public, especially on social media. “As Malaysians, we must remain united. We train hard and are extremely proud to represent the country. Win or lose is part and parcel of sports, but what is important is our attitude and

to compete at the highest level. National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said the youngsters must use the chance to play in the world’s oldest badminton tournament to challenge the world’s established pairs. “We regard Khai Xing-Aaron as our next gen eration pair, and the experience they will gain at the All England will stand them in good stead for their progress. “It’s good that this young pair will be competing as they hardly play against the world’s best, includ ing those ranked in the top 10,” he told reporters after a training session here today. Although the 2024 world junior champions have shown improvement, Herry was quick to point out that Khai Xing still needs to up his game. “In my opinion, Aaron is already at a higher

Decision on Sepang’s MotoGP future soon, says SIC chief

THE decision on whether to extend the contract to host the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix (MotoGP) at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), to be held at the end of this year, will be known soon. SIC chief executive officer Azhan Shafriman Hanif said the paperwork for the MotoGP contract renewal in the country has been presented to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and is awaiting tabling at the Cabinet. “ Insya-Allah , we should get news (on the contract extension for the hosting of the MotoGP at SIC) within this month. “We have proposed five years, but it will depend on the Cabinet decision. We hope to extend the contract for five years because there are many other pro jects that we intend to carry out with MotoGP,” he said when met after the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards Night 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday night. Malaysia’s current contract for host ing the MotoGP, renewed in 2024, is until this year. Azhan Shafriman said one of the pro jects it intends to carry out with MotoGP is setting up the base for the Asia Talent Cup in Sepang, which will create job opportunities for local talent, such as engineers, mechanics and data engi neers.

Although the fee for hosting the MotoGP has risen by 10 to 15%, he remains confident that the increase commensurates with the SIC offer to extend the contract for the world’s most prestigious motorcycling race. Meanwhile, MotoGP chief sporting officer Carlos Ezpeleta said there has been a lot of progress, and he is feeling very comfortable about the contract renewal for the race at SIC. “We’re looking forward, for sure, to another five years of the agreement with SIC, it’s a really important market. “In these past months, we’ve been able to progress on the negotiations, so it’s pretty much done now. It’s just a question of getting it formalised with the ministries,” he said. The MotoGP race in Malaysia has been held at SIC since 1999, with the only exception being its cancellation in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pan demic. At the awards ceremony, JDT Racing Team rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah was named the International Circuit Racing Rider of the Year while Honda Racing Malaysia rider Azroy Hakeem Anuar, who was named as National Circuit Racing Rider of the Year and 2025 Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) cham pion Qabil Irfan Azlan sealed the Young Rider of the Year award. – Bernama

Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi in action on the MotoGP 2026 pre-season testing at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

No problem for Malaysian trio in Chicago TH R EE Malaysian squash players – S. Sivasangari, Aira Azman and Ng Eain Yow – kicked off their Windy City Open 2026 campaign in Chicago, United States, in convincing fashion yesterday. Sixth seeded Sivasangari defeat Belgian Nele Gilis 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 at the University Club of Chicago. Sivasangari’s second-round opponent will be Egypt’s Kenzy Azman, who had earlier disposed of compatriot Nour Aboulmakarim 11 7, 11-7, 11-9.

Satomi Watanabe of Japan. Eain Yow, meanwhile, had little trouble dispatching Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller 11-6, 11-5, 11-9 in the first round of the men’s event. Eain Yow will take on second seed Paul Coll for a place in the quarter finals after the New Zealander defeated Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas 11-6, 11-9, 11-5. – Bernama

taking 45 minutes to overcome England’s Torrie Malik 11-9, 11-3, 8 11, 14-12. Aira will face fourth seed Olivia Weaver next, after the American eased past England’s Grace Gear 11 6, 11-9, 11-3. However, Rachel Arnold suffered an early exit when she went down 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 4-11 to fifth seed

stormed into the women’s singles second round of the Platinum-level event after taking 41 minutes to

Meanwhile, Aira progressed to the women’s second round after