15/04/2026

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WEDNESDAY | APR 15, 2026

Malaysian Paper

N OAH OKAFOR fired Leeds to a long-awaited 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford as the Premier League strugglers boosted their bid to avoid relegation yesterday. Okafor punished United’s sloppy defending with a brace in the first half before Lisandro Martinez was sent off after pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair after the interval. Casemiro got one back for United, but Leeds held on for their first win against United since a shock 2010 FA Cup success when they were in the third tier. The Yorkshire club were able to celebrate their first top-flight win against United since 2002 and their first league victory at Old Trafford in 45 years. “Proud of the boys. Fantastic performance. We are in the crunch time of the season and it’s important to keep your nerves and stick to your plan,” Farke said. “I think the first half was fantastic, we should have been higher up than 2-0, we missed many many chances. “We were a bit sleepy at one set-piece. United is a side packed with top class players, which can bring quality from the bench later in the game. “It’s difficult to bring it over the line as a newly-promoted side. Big compliment to the whole group.” Farke claimed Leeds’ impressive performance in their first league win in seven games underlined why they should be higher in the table. “It’s a sign of why we should be in a much better position performance wise,” he said. “This team has performed over the whole season with unbelievable con sistency. A win is always good for the mood, for confidence. Also for the table. “I think it’s the first win here for over forty years. It’s amazing, and of course a big step forward.” A first win in seven league matches lifted Daniel Farke’s side six points clear of the relegation zone, with six games left to preserve their top-flight status after last season’s promotion. As well as battling for survival, Leeds are through to the FA Cup semi

United meltdown Leeds star Okafor ends 45-year wait for league win at Old Trafford, Carrick rages at referee over two ‘shocking’ decisions

interim boss in January. United remain in third place, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish. The last time United played Leeds, Carrick was on holiday with former Old Trafford teammate Wayne Rooney and their respective families in Barbados. Carrick has revitalised United since taking charge, but one win from their last four games is a step back. United’s trip to Chelsea on April 19 offers another chance to take a step towards returning to Europe’s elite club competition for the first time since 2023/24. Leeds had failed to score in their previous four league games, but they blew United away with a blistering start. When Jayden Bogle whipped a fifth minute cross towards Dominic Calvert-Lewin, United defender Leny Yoro was unable to clear and Okafor pounced with a clinical finish from 10 yards. With Harry Maguire suspended, United were shambolic at the back in the first half and Okafor netted again after more defensive miscues in the 29th minute. Carrick’s men were back in action for the first time in 24 days and they looked rusty after the enforced break. After the interval and United’s nightmare evening continued when Martinez saw red in the 56th minute. Martinez needlessly tugged Calvert-Lewin’s long hair and referee Paul Tierney sent him off after consult ing the pitch-side monitor. Despite their numerical disadvan tage, United reduced the deficit in the 69th minute when Casemiro met Bruno Fernandes’ cross with a thumping header past Karl Darlow from six yards. – AFP

finals, where they face Chelsea at Wembley on April 26.

“We have to stay humble. We are not perfect. We are not the fin ished, end product,” Farke said. “We are on a good path, on the way to achieving something really positive this season.” W h i l e Manchester City and Liverpool are United’s main

rivals, fans’ enmity with Leeds support ers goes back decades, featuring numerous clashes between hooli gan gangs. That made the defeat a bitter pill to swallow for United fans, who booed Michael Carrick’s side at fulltime. It was only Carrick’s second defeat in 11 games since he replaced the sacked Ruben Amorim as their

Man United’s Lisandro Martinez (red jersey) is shown a red card by referee Paul Tierney after a hair-pulling incident between the Argentinian and Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the English Premier League match at Old Trafford yesterday. – REUTERSPIC

Lighter schedule favours Zii Jia ahead of Thomas Cup: Liew

MALAYSIA’S lighter-than-usual Thomas Cup schedule is expected to benefit professional singles player Lee Zii Jia, who has recently recovered from injury. Zii Jia’s coach Liew Daren said the situation would allow his charge to regain his rhythm ahead of the match against Japan, which will be Malaysia’s final Group B tie. “I think the first match is against England, and after that is Finland. So I think most proba bly it won’t be too tough, especially for the third singles,” he said when met after the Thomas Cup team’s training session yesterday. At the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against England on April 25, fol lowed by Finland on April 27, before wrapping

Haikal Nazri has denied claims that he will leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM). When contacted by Bernama yesterday, Muhammad Haikal said his current focus is on building a strong partnership with his new partner Bryan Goonting. “I did not submit any letter to leave BAM. My focus is on my new partner, and we will be competing in the Thailand Open,” he said. Earlier, media reports claimed that Muhammad Haikal had submitted his resigna tion letter from the national squad. Throughout his career, Muhammad Haikal has won three Badminton World Federation World Tour titles while partnering Choong Hon Jian. – Bernama

we will discuss this,” he said. Zii Jia is the fourth-ranked singles player in the squad and is expected to play in the third singles. Meanwhile, men’s doubles player Man Wei Chong has admitted that he is still struggling to find his rhythm following his recovery from a knee injury. However, Man said he is currently working to regain his best form ahead of the 2026 Thomas Cup, which will be held in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24 to May 3. “I would be happy if I get the chance to play in the Thomas Cup. I will give my best if fielded, and there is not much pressure to play,” he said yesterday. Another men’s doubles player Muhammad

up the group stage against Japan on April 29. When asked about Zii Jia’s current form, Daren admitted that the Paris Olympic bronze medallist is not yet at 100%. However, he is confident that Zii Jia will be able to reach peak form before the prestigious tournament begins on April 24. “Not 100%, but we are pushing right now. Now I think it is around 70 to 80%. So his pro gress is good, and hopefully this week and into next week we will continue to push,” he said. He also hopes Zii Jia will feature in every match at the tournament. “If possible, I want him to play because he hasn’t had many tour naments. I want him to get that tournament feeling. “But it also depends on the (team) coach. So

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