20/03/2026

SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 20, 2026

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Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

Japan stand in way of Thomas Cup ambition

RESULTS & STANDINGS

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (Last 16, 2nd leg) : Barcelona 7 (Raphinha 6, 72, Bernal 18, Yamal 45+7-pen, Lopez 51, Lewandowski 56, 61) Newcastle United 2 (Elanga 15, 28) – Barcelona win 8-3 on agg , Liver pool 4 (Szoboszlai 25, Ekitike 51, Graven berch 53, Salah 62) Galatasaray 0 – Liver pool win 4-1 on agg , Bayern Munich 4 (Kane 25-pen, 54, Karl 56, Diaz 70) Atalanta 1 (Samardzic 85) - Bayern win 10-2 on agg , Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Kolo Muani 30, Simons 52, 90-pen) Atletico Madrid 2 (Alvarez 47, Hancko 75) – Atletico win 7-5 on agg . EUROPA LEAGUE (Last 16, 2nd leg) : Braga 4 (Horta 11, 53, Grillitsch 15, Marti nez 34) Ferencvaros 0 – Braga win 4-2 on agg . ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP: Southamp ton 1 Norwich 0. TOP 6 P W D L F A Pts Coventry 38 23 8 7 78 40 77 Mid’boro 38 20 10 8 59 37 70 Ipswich 37 19 11 7 66 38 68 Millwall 38 20 8 10 52 43 68 Hull 38 19 6 13 59 56 63 Southampton 38 16 12 10 61 48 60 SEA Games roadshow after Raya: KBS SINCE being entrusted with the Youth and Sports Minister’s post on Dec 16, 2025, one of Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari’s main focuses has been the hosting of the 2027 SEA Games. With about 18 more months to go before Malaysia hosts the SEA Games, Mohammed Taufiq says the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) already has a clear plan to intensify promotion of the biennial Games. In a recent exclusive interview with Bernama , led by Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, Mohammed Taufiq said the min istry will organise a series of roadshows for the 2027 SEA Games after this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations to boost the “vibe” among Malaysians ahead of the offi cial opening of the Games in Sarawak on Sept 18, 2027. “We will hold a series of roadshows heading towards the 2027 SEA Games. We want all Malaysians to talk about the SEA Games year-round until September 2027. “Actually, people are the best agents to be the spokespersons for the SEA Games. We may not need to spend more on mar keting and so on if we are able to explain to the grassroots, in the villages, about the SEA Games,” he said when met at his office here. Through the series of roadshows, Mohammed Taufiq aims to make the 2027 SEA Games attract the attention and involvement of every Malaysian, in addition to making the Games a much-awaited sports festival. He added that the 2027 SEA Games roadshow, which will begin in Sarawak after Aidilfitri, is also aimed at gathering public feedback regarding the best measures to ensure the events are organised success fully. Mohammed Taufiq also said that the official logo and mascot for the 2027 SEA Games, based on the competition organ ised by the ministry last year, would be announced soon. The design competition for the official logo and mascot for the 34th SEA Games, held from October to December, 2025, offers the winner a cash prize of RM8,000 and a certificate. – Bernama

MALAYSIA have been handed a favourable draw in the Thomas Cup Finals 2026, with Japan shaping up as their main rivals in the race to reach the knockout stages. The Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3. Based on the group stage draw held at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening, the national men’s team, pitted in Group B, will also have to contend with England and Finland. But it’s the 2026 Badminton Asia Team Championships winners, Japan, who are set to pose a serious threat to Malaysia, as they boast a balanced squad. In singles, Japan can rely on the likes of Kodai Naraoka (world No. 9), Yushi Tanaka (world No. 19) and Koki Watanabe (world No. 21). Although Naraoka has struggled so far this season, Japan can still bank on the two standout performers who helped them clinch their maiden Asian team title: Tanaka and Watanabe. Tanaka is also fresh off a victory at the Swiss Open 2026, while Watanabe distinguished himself

Carolan appointed new Speedy Tigers coach, Sarjit out THE Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC) have confirmed that they will not extend the contract of national men’s hockey head coach Sarjit Singh for the team’s preparations for the 2026 Hockey World Cup and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. MHC president Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal said the decision was made following an Executive Committee meeting, which also agreed to appoint Brendon Carolan as the new head coach effective April 1. Subahan stressed that the end of Sarjit’s contract was not a dismissal, but part of a restructuring of the coaching setup aimed at achieving better results for the Speedy Tigers. “Sarjit’s contract will not be extended for the preparation period leading to the 2026 World Cup, but we deeply appreciate his con tributions and sacrifices since March 2024, including guiding the team to qualify for the tournament (World Cup),” he said at a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur. He added that the decision aligns with the federation’s new direction, which places greater emphasis on enhancing the team’s tactical capabilities. “We want to focus on improving the team’s tactical skills and believe that Carolan has the capability to help elevate the national squad to a higher level,” he said. Elaborating further, Subahan said one of the key performance indicators (KPIs) set for Carolan is to ensure the national team reach at least the final at the Asian Games this October. Carolan, who hails from South Africa and is based in Dublin, Ireland, previously served as an assistant coach with the national team. He also has experience as interim coach of the Irish team and has worked as a hockey consultant for Gantoise club. Carolan will guide the national squad in the Nations Cup in South Africa this June before leading them at the 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands where they have been drawn into a “Group of Death” alongside defending champions Germany, Belgium and France in Group B. The Speedy Tigers will face an uphill task to advance to the second round, as only the top two teams from each group qualify. Malaysia are ranked 15th in the world, Belgium are No. 2 and Germany are No. 6. The Speedy Tigers will then compete in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan next October. – Bernama Having said that, Malaysia should have enough firepower to get past England, as well as Finland, to check into the last eight with Japan from Group B. Meanwhile, the national women’s squad also received a favourable draw in the Uber Cup Finals. They been drawn into Group B alongside six time champions Japan, Turkiye and South Africa and stand a strong chance of marching into the knockout stages for the first time since the 2010 edition, provided they secure decisive wins against Turkiye and South Africa. Malaysia last won the Thomas Cup in 1992 while the national women’s team have yet to win the Uber Cup. – Bernama Although not as formidable as Japan, England did finish third in the 2026 European Men’s Team Badminton Championships, and are expected to unleash their top doubles pair of Ben Lane and Sean Vendy. Lane-Vendy have proven to be a bane for Malaysia, having beaten Malaysia’s top pairs, including 2022 world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and professional duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.

as the only Japanese shuttler to reach the quarter finals of the All England 2026 in Birmingham. Malaysia, on the other hand, look a bit light weight in the singles category, as the likely candi dates – Leong Jun Hao (world No. 23), Justin Hoh (world No. 38) and professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia (world No. 86) – have all endured an underwhelm ing season thus far. But what Malaysia lack in singles, they more than make up for in doubles, boasting three pairs in the world’s top 10: 2022 world champions and world number two Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 6 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and world No. 7 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani. This is in stark contrast to Japan, whose primary threat remains the 2021 world champions, Hoki Kobayashi (world No. 8). Their other two pairs are likely to be Hidori Midorikawa-Kyohei Yamashita (world No. 19) and Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi (world No. 27). With the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the quarterfinals, Malaysia will need to tread with caution against England as well.

Invincible quest JDT coach sets sights on unbeaten season after PDRM demolition

JDT and PDRM in action at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Wednesday night. – @OfficialJohor/X

J OHOR DARUL TA’ZIM (JDT) head coach Xisco Munoz has reaffirmed his team’s deter mination to complete the Malaysia Super League season unbeaten, following their 7-0 victory over PDRM FC on Wednesday night. Despite already securing their 12th consecutive Malaysia Super League title, Munoz said maintain ing focus and improving performance remain cru cial until the end of the season. “It is important for us to continue with the same character, ambition, and strength. I am proud of the values the players are showing,” he said in a post-match press conference at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The coach acknowledged the challenge of achieving a perfect season but praised his squad’s mentality. “Every match is difficult, but the players are giv ing their maximum, both on the pitch and in train ing. If we want to reach the highest level, we must push ourselves until the final game, with full focus for 90 minutes in every match,” he said. On squad management, Munoz emphasised careful rotation to balance performance and player welfare. “Not every player can play every match, but we aim to give everyone an opportunity. We must make the best choices at every stage. “The coaching and physiotherapy staff are working hard to help the players regain full fitness. Rotation is planned to maintain high performance until the season ends,” he added. With only four league matches remaining, JDT now have the chance to set a new club record by completing the season unbeaten – a feat never achieved in the club’s history.

The Southern Tigers started aggressively as early as the fourth minute when Bergson Da Silva’s header from a cross by La’ Vere Corbin-Ong rattled the PDRM goal, guarded by goalkeeper Muhd Asri Muhamad, but it did not result in a goal. JDT’s dominance eventually paid off in the 14th minute when Yago Cesar finished off a pass from Manuel Hidalgo inside the penalty box to put the hosts ahead. The second goal came in the 20th minute through Ignacio Mendez, who unleashed a power ful strike from outside the box following a pass by Corbin-Ong. Four minutes later, in the 24th minute, Stuart Wilkin added a third with a fierce shot, giving JDT a comfortable 3-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, JDT extended their lead in the 51st minute when Stuart Wilkin capitalised on a scramble inside the penalty area from a pass by Manuel Hidalgo. In the 71st minute, Jairo Da Silva nearly added to the tally, but his goal was disallowed following a VAR review that ruled him offside inside the pen alty area. JDT’s fifth goal came in the 80th minute when Jairo Da Silva tapped in from a pass by Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor, beating substitute goalkeeper Nor Hakeem Hamidun. A minute later, in the 81st minute, Jairo Da Silva struck again with a shot from outside the box, again assisted by Muhammad Nazmi Faiz Mansor, making it 6-0 for the hosts. In the 87th minute, Bergson Da Silva added the seventh goal after capitalising on a pass from Jairo Da Silva, sealing a resounding 7-0 victory for JDT. – Bernama