05/03/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | MAR 5, 2026

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BAM open to pro partners … and eyes cooperation with Zii Jia ahead of major championships T HE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) is expected to continue working with professional players including national men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia, said discussions have also been held with several professional players regarding possible collaborations, including joining national squad training sessions and attending selection sessions.

RESULTS & STANDINGS

ENGLISH LEAGUE: Bournemouth 0 Brentford 0, Ever ton 2 (Tarkowski 32, Dewsbury-Hall 60) Burnley 0, Leeds 0 Sunderland 1 (Diarra 70-pen) , Wolves 2 (Rodrigo Gomes 78, Andre 90+4) Liverpool 1 (Salah 83) . P W D L F A Pts Arsenal 29 19 7 3 58 22 64 Man City 28 18 5 5 57 25 59 Man Utd 28 14 9 5 50 38 51 Aston Villa 28 15 6 7 38 30 51 Liverpool 29 14 6 9 48 39 48 Chelsea 28 12 9 7 49 33 45 Brentford 29 13 5 11 44 40 44 Everton 29 12 7 10 34 33 43 Bournemouth 29 9 13 7 44 46 40 Fulham 28 12 4 12 40 42 40 Sunderland 29 10 10 9 30 34 40 Brighton 28 9 10 9 38 35 37 Newcastle 28 10 6 12 40 42 36 Crystal Palace 28 9 8 11 30 34 35 Leeds 29 7 10 12 37 48 31 Tottenham 28 7 8 1338 43 29 Nottm Forest 28 7 6 15 26 41 27 West Ham 28 6 7 1534 54 25 Burnley 29 4 7 1832 58 19 Wolves 30 3 7 2022 52 16 CHAMPIONSHIP: Ipswich Town 1 Hull City 0 ENGLISH FA CUP (4th rd) : Port Vale 1 Bristol City 0 – aet. SPANISH CUP (semifinals, 2nd leg) : Barcelona 3 (Bernal 29,72, Raphinha 45+5) Atletico Madrid 0 (Atletico through 4-3 on aggregate) . ITALIAN CUP (semifinals, 1st leg) : Como 0 Inter Milan 0. FRENCH CUP (quarterfinals) : Stras bourg 2 Reims 1. TFC to stick with Tengku Hazman TERENGGANU FC (TFC) are unlikely to appoint a new head coach for the rest of this season’s Super League campaign, with acting head coach Tengku Hazman Raja Hassan set to continue leading the Turtles until the league ends in May. Terengganu Football Association (PBSNT) president Hishamuddin Abdul Karim said financial constraints were among the factors preventing TFC from hiring a new coach, plus there are only six matches remaining. “We are aware of our financial situation. If we look at the issue (of outstanding wages) involving Ivan Mamut, it is related to the team’s finances. “So, we need to manage and control our spending so that it does not affect the team. “We understand the expectations and demands of supporters, but fulfilling everyone’s wishes amid financial constraints is not easy,” he said when contacted yesterday. While acknowledging TFC’s poor form after losing their last two matches, he hoped the players would bounce back against Kelantan TRW FC at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium tomorrow. Hishamuddin, who is also the Terengganu Youth Development, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman, said the team’s campaign remains on the right track, having met its target by staying among the top five in the league standings. “I admit our performance has been inconsistent. “But I am confident TFC can bounce back and return to winning ways,” he said. – Bernama PREMIER

“They will be doing joint training and maybe they will be there for selection,” he said when met after a working committee meeting with the National Sports Council (MSN) yesterday. Earlier, Zii Jia, women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei and men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have pledged their commitment to join the Malaysian squad for the Thomas Cup which will be held in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3. Meanwhile, Goh also said yesterday’s meeting also discussed the podium and back up programmes which involved 21 senior players and 20 junior players. According to him, the existing coaches will be responsible for setting specific key performance indicators (KPIs) for each tournament as part of the preparations for the Asian Games. “Our focus is now more on specific tournaments. “The coach will set KPIs for the players in each competition and of course the most important thing is to achieve the target at the Asian Games,” he said. –Bernama

in preparation for team tournaments and sport ing championships including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh

“We have had discussions with Lee Zii Jia and all the independent players for the Thomas Cup and the Olympic Games.

Hakim Danish targets stronger rides

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Nur Afiqah Syahzani Azhar stole the show when she scored two field goals in the 20th and 28th minutes for Malaysian Tigress in the match held at the Estadio Nacional. The scoring spree began as early as the ninth minute when Khairunnisa Ayuni Mohd Sharuddin converted a penalty corner. Zati Alyani Muhammad Zubir added a third with a field goal in the 36th minute. Nuramirah Shakirah Zulkifli and Fatin Shafika Mahd Sukri also carved their names in the scorer’s list with the fifth and sixth goals in the 39th and 46th minutes, both of which came from penalty corners. Chloe Walton scored a consolation goal for the opposing team in the 11th minute. In a video shared by the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, head coach Mohd Nasihin NATIONAL Moto3 rider Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli (pic) admits that he still needs to work on his riding style if he is to make a better impression for the rest of the World Motorcycling Championships season. The Aeon Credit MT Helmets-MSi Racing rider said it is also crucial for him to refine his communication with the team’s chief of crew, Jonathan Morales, to ensure the machine can be tuned to suit the circuit he races on. “I feel there is room for improvement in terms of riding style and communication with the chief of crew for better machine adjustments. “So far, there are no big problems. Just that I need to further improve my communication skills, particularly my English,” he said yesterday. Hakim Danish said he has known Morales since his Junior Grand Prix (GP) racing days, and this is the third year they are working together. The 18-year-old is confident he can achieve podium finishes if he continues to work hard throughout the season. “For me, it’s not impossible to get on the podium. I have a mentality of wanting to be on the podium, and I’ll work hard to make sure I achieve it. “I hope I can achieve it soon… I will give my

Nubli Ibrahim praised his players’ response after their 0-5 defeat to Ireland in Monday’s opener. “The players gave their best. This was the result of high discipline and effective tactics, unlike yesterday against Ireland. There is still room for improvement,” he said. Malaysia will rest before facing tournament favourites Japan, with Nasihin vowing a stronger display. Ireland top Group B with six points. Japan sit second on goal difference, level on three points with Malaysia, while Canada remain bot tom without a point. Under tournament rules, the top two teams from Groups A and B advance to the semifinals. Only the top three teams from each qualify ing event, along with the highest-ranked fourth-placed side across both tournaments, will secure spots at the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands from Aug 14-30. The other qualifying tournament is being held in Hyderabad, India. – Bernama best in every race,” he said. Meanwhile, motorsports needs funding from the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) to elevate young talents like Muhammad Hakim Danish Ramli and Qabil Irfan Azlan. ZK Racing team manager Zulfahmi Khairudin said the talent and potential of these two riders should not be wasted, as they have so far more than proven their ability to compete on the international stage. “I believe the ministry needs to have a better look at this matter, as it’s hard to find talents like these two. Maybe, once in 10 years you can unearth such gems,” he said. Earlier, Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Mordi Bimol said the ministry has yet to provide funding for motorsports, although the World Motorcycling Championships revved off to a grand start in Buriram, Thailand, last week. “We do not have an allocation for it (motorsports), so far,” he said when asked to comment on whether the ministry will provide funding for motorsports to support the two riders. However, Mordi said the ministry will continue to support the sport, in addition to unearthing new talents for the future. –Bernama

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Malaysian Tigress bounce back in style THE national women’s hockey squad reignited their semifinal hopes in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers with a commanding 6-1 victory over Canada in their second Group B match in Santiago, Chile yesterday.

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