29/05/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | MAY 29, 2025

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‘No European football advantage for United’

MANCHESTER UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim believes the club’s absence from European football next season could work to their advantage as they prepare for the upcoming campaign. The 40-year-old Portuguese tactician said that with United missing out on European football, it presents an opportunity for the team to better prepare and build a strong core for the future. “I have to say that for us not to be in the

important to win the first game and that the team had a lot to do in the summer in terms of preparation as expectations were that United would be at the top once again. Amorim did admit that United was open to any player donning the club jersey, including those from Southeast Asia, provided they meet the club’s standards. “We want the best players in the world. If I see someone (from the Asean All-Stars) with value, he could be in our list. No matter the region, you all have space if you can perform and you are one of the best in the world,” he said. The 13-time Premier League champions, who have endured a dismal season by their lofty standards are also scheduled to travel to Hong Kong as part of their post-season tour to play against the Hong Kong national team at the Hong Kong Stadium on May 30. – Bernama

Champions League could be an advantage, to perform well and prepare better the games. To build that core we need for the future. “So I think it’s good for us to take advantage of not having European games,” he told a pre match press conference ahead of the Maybank Challenge Cup match between United and

Asean All-Stars yesterday. United will not feature in European competition next season after finishing 15th with 42 points in the Premier League this season. He declined to go into specifics about next season’s target, merely stating that it was

‘Focus on Cape Verde first’ Cklamovski tells Harimau Malaya ‘to give’ their best performance

H ARIMAU MALAYA head coach Peter Cklamovski has told his men to focus fully on the two friendlies against Cape Verde before training their sights on the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers against Vietnam on June 10. He described Cape Verde as a team of high quality as his charges gear up for the two friendlies today and on June 3. He said Cape Verde deserve their full respect and, as such, he will field

the team,” he told a pre-match media conference ahead of the friendly against Cape Verde yesterday. Cklamovski urged the national team to fully utilise the friendly against world No. 72 Cape Verde, whose style of play is almost similar to Vietnam’s, which will be helpful as they prepare for the crunch Asian Cup qualifying game.

(AG26) following confirmation that the next edition of the Games will feature five squash events. The Asian Games is a multi-sport Games held every four years for athletes from Asia, with squash appearing at every Asian Games since Bangkok 1998. Next year’s event, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, is taking place in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from Sept 19 to Oct 4 and will feature 41 sports. Five squash events are set to be included in the Games, with men’s and women’s individual and team events being complemented by mixed doubles, which made an impressive debut at the last edition in Hangzhou, China. The squash competitions will take place between Sept 23 to Oct 2 at the Nagoya Kinjo-Futo Arena. Duncan Chiu, President of the Asian Squash Federation, said: “Preparations for the 2026 Asian Games are coming along excellently. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee has done a fantastic job in putting together what will be another world class edition of the Asian Games. “Having five squash competitions at the Games is testament to the diversity and appeal of squash and I am sure the Games will prove to be a real spectacle.” strong team like this (Cape Verde) will help us develop as a team,” he said. The national team will take on Cape Verde a second time, in a closed-door friendly, at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 3. The Harimau Malaya squad have been reminded to take precautions ahead of two Tier 1 international friendlies against Cape Verde after information about the national team’s strength is now allegedly in the hands of the African opponent. Cape Verde head coach Pedro Brito admitted that Selangor FC import player Alvin Fortes, who is in his squad this time, has shared information about the national team with The Blue Sharks coaching staff. “We have players who play in several countries, and we are happy to have players who are currently playing in Malaysia. “Of course he (Fortes) shared some information about football and the Malaysian national team. However, our focus remains on our own preparation for tomorrow’s match and also the upcoming matches,” he said yesterday. However, Brito while expecting the match to be not easy, expressed his excitement to face Malaysia for the first time. “The ranking is not a guarantee of easy matches. Our focus is on managing the challenges that lie ahead. We have also brought in some young players who are joining the team for the first time. “As a small country, it is important for us to get a variety of matches to gain international experience,” he said. According to him, it is also the best preparation for the team which is in the process of preparing for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. – Bernama

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“We will make the most of the friendly matches even though we know it will be a big challenge. Cape Verde and Vietnam are very

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the strongest XI for the Tier 1 friendly at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras today. “The match against Vietnam is still a long way off. The two matches against Cape Verde are an game and we have to respect every opponent. We have to give our best team performance and go in with a strong mentality, regardless of who the opponent is. This attitude will strengthen important part of our preparations towards that. “Football is a unique

similar in terms of physicality, strength, speed and (their) direct style of play. “So, it will be interesting to see how we can get something out of this match (friendly). Playing against a

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RM19,643,121.75

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RM342,109.50

Peter Cklamakovski. – BERNAMAPIC

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SHORTS

4.42km track featuring 8 right-hand corners, 5 left-hand corners, and a 607-metre straight. Notably, this is the same circuit used for Round 1 of the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, where Danish claimed P2 in both races. This previous experience is expected to give him an edge as he returns to familiar ground.

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Hakim Danish set to conquer Jerez

HAKIM DANISH (pic) returned to Malaysia on May 18 after a packed racing and testing schedule that began on March 23. The young Malaysian rider competed in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup (1 official test, 2 rounds with 4 races) and the FIM JuniorGP World Championship (3 private tests, 1 round with 1 race). His hard work and determination paid off, as he secured second place podium finishes in all the races he competed in. Spending only six days in Malaysia, Danish is now en

RM12,448,868.17

Joining Danish this week is SIC Racing-MSI Team Manager, Zulfahmi Khairuddin, who departed Malaysia for Spain on Tuesday. His presence is set to provide valuable support and serve as a key link between the team and the rider to ensure smooth operations and optimal performance. Five squash events to feature at AG26 A bumper squash offering will be on show at the 2026 Asian G a m e s

RM100,000.00

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route back to Spain on Tuesday to prepare for Round 2 of the FIM JuniorGP World Championship. T h e s e c o n d round will take place this weekend

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at Circuito de Jerez in Spain, a