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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 The huge support expected for Harimau Malaya in the match against Indonesia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil tomorrow night for the second qualifying round for World Cup 2022 / Asian Cup 2023, has clearly not rattle Indonesia’s temporary manager Yeyen Tumena.

The former Indonesian national player who took over from Simon McMenemy after his sacking by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) recently, is confident that the Garuda would be able to play well despite the pressure.

Tumena revealed that even though the Scotland-born manager is no longer with the Garuda, he did share some useful inputs during the team’s training session.

“With the stadium being packed and facing the home team, I think this is a positive thing because in Indonesia, we are accustomed to playing before a huge crowd at all levels.

“The pressure from Malaysian supporters would spur our players on,” he told a pre-match press conference at the venue today.

Tumena said the presence of a number of new faces encouraged him to plot the best strategy against Malaysia.

The former Indonesian national player is optimistic the Garuda could rise to the occasion and chalk up its first victory after four defeats in the qualifying round.

For the record, Indonesia lost 2-3 to Malaysia, 0-3 and 0-5 to Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) respectively, and succumbed to Group G leaders Vietnam 1-3 in Hanoi on Nov 15.

“We have not raked in any points, which means we have to improve our game. The pressure is always there, regardless, we will face it head-on like we always do, Tumena said.

Sharing his spirit and sentiment is Indonesian defender Yanto Basna who is looking for a win against Malaysia. He realised it would be a tall order, given Malaysia’s positive results in recent matches.

The Thai Premier League defender who plays for Sukhothai FC, felt that the squad had been highly motivated since they arrived here on Nov 12 to prepare for the match.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

KOTA BHARU, Nov 18 The national men’s football team have been warned not to be complacent against Indonesia in the 2022 World Cup/2023 Asian Cup qualifiers at Bukit Jalil Stadium tomorrow night.

Former national striker Mohd Hashim Mustapha, 53, said fans were expecting the national team to win the game tomorrow at home, as the team had managed to beat Indonesia two months ago on the opponents’ turf.

“Don’t take into account the results of the previous matches and the outcome against Thailand three days ago at the Bukit Jalil Stadium.

“So..don’t play in a manner which will result in a disappointing outcome, whilst the fans have set high hopes for the national team to earn points in front of them (at home),” he told Bernama here today.

The Harimau Malaya squad had beaten their traditional rivals 3-2 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia, on Sept 5.

Three days ago, the national team beat Thailand 2-1 in another qualifier match.

Mohd Hashim said, in football, it was not enough to merely possess the confidence, but the players had to work hard to ensure victory belonged to them.

“Confidence is good, but it has to come with hard work, passion and focus, as well as reducing mistakes that can benefit the opposing team.

He also urged the national players to wary of Indonesia’s fast-paced and aggressive playing style.

“Likewise, the players have to be patient with the psychological plays of the opponents and their supporters, and our supporters should not resort to any actions which can tarnish the image of national football,” he said.

The national team currently ranks fourth out of the five teams in Group G, with six points from four games, registering two wins and two losses.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

PETALING JAYA, Nov 18 American-born footballer, Wan Kuzain Wan Kamal, has finally joined the national under-22 squad training, today.

The 21-year-old, born in Carbondale, Illinois, was previously reported to be facing passport and documentation issues.

However, 178 cm midfielder from the American Major Soccer League (MLS) side, Sporting Kansas City arrived yesterday to join the team’s preparation for the 2019 SEA Games.

“This means a lot… every time you represent the national team, you’re not just representing yourself or your family, you’re representing the whole country. Hopefully I can show and wear these colours proudly.

“Looking forward for training and see where it goes. I am just going to be my best, work hard, compete, do what I can do and see what happens,” he told reporters when met during the training session at MPSJ Arena, Subang Jaya here, today.

Wan Kuzain is looking forward to help Datuk Ong Kim Swee’s charges to win the elusive SEA Games gold, after missing the title to Thailand in the 2017 edition.

“I think every team wants to win, I do not see any reason why we can’t (win). Everyone (in the team) is nice and friendly, introduced myself to all, so far all have been good.

“I would like to express myself as a player who is calm, composed in the midfield…I can play in any position, either in defence, centre or as attacking midfielder, able to dictate the game and make the game. Can play the final ball, create own chances and most importantly, a guy who is a going to be good teammate and work hard,” Wan Kuzain describes himself.

Meanwhile, Kim Swee believes Wan Kuzain’s experience will benefit the national team in long term.

“We need to give him time because he has just arrived. Firstly, we want to see how he can combine with other players on the field and we know that the midfielders from national team joining us after the match against Indonesia ( on Tuesday), when these players come in, the combination between them is very important.

“At the same time, outside the pitch or off the field, he has to blend with our local players and its very important for our team building on the field,” he said.

Kim Swee, who now has 25 players in the squad, will see another seven joining the team after their senior team checked in on Wednesday, is expected to name the final 20-men squad by the weekend before leaving for Manila.

“So everybody is going to work hard, where you know with only 20 players to be selected for Manila. I can’t have everyone and I don’t want to have a very big group of players, where it definitely will be giving me little bit of problem in training.

“In the last week of preparations, I need to look at certain positions, where to make sure that we have very stable players, probably in one of two positions,” he said.

Drawn in Group A, Malaysia will kick off the campaign against Myanmar on Monday, followed by the Philippines (29 Nov), Timor-Leste (2 Dec) and Cambodia (4 Dec). All matches will be played at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 National women elite kegler, Natasha Roslan got off to a flying start by topping the opening round of 55th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Tournament at the Bowling Centre, Jakabaring Sports City in Palembang, Indonesia, today.

The 23-year-old reeled in lines of 216-211-222-228-207-222 for a total 1,306 pinfalls, followed by American veteran, Kelly Kulick (1,293 pinfalls), while Stephanie Martins of Brazil, came in third with 1,235 pinfalls.

In the men’s division, Adrian Ang finished in 24th place out of 73 keglers by accumulating a total of 1,196 pinfalls.

The 2015 World Cup runners-up, Francois Louw of South Africa, set an early pace by posting 1,345 pinfalls, followed by Daniel Vezis of Latvia (1,302 pinfalls), while Ireland’s Christopher Sloan was in third with 1,290 pinfalls.

Both Natasha and Ang qualified to the second round as the only top 24 keglers in both divisions, advanced into the next round.

Speaking on his performance, Ang who is making his third appearance at the World Cup, acknowledged that it was not the best start he wanted in the tournament as he struggled to find the right lane pattern.

The lanes are a little tricky especially in the middle lanes at the centre, and my ball reaction could have been better, but in the end, I know what to do in the coming days, and hopefully the lane conditions do not change drastically, according to the Penangite in a statement issued by Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC).

For the records, Ang finished 17th when making his World Cup debut in 2006 in Venezuela, and was 23rd in 2011 when it was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

KUALA LUMPUR, The combination of Muhammad Syafiq Puteh-Wendy Ng Yan Yee have succeeded in garnering a gold medal after an excellent performance at the FINA Diving Grand Prix in the mixed synchronised three meter springboard event at the National Aquatic centre in Bukit Jalil today.

The duo collected 299.22 points to overcome Russia’s Ilia Molchanov-Elizaveta Kuzina who accumulated 287.40 points for the silver while Swiss diving pair, Jonathan Suckow-Michelle Heimberg took the bronze medal with 281.10 points.

Another national pair, Loh Zhiayi-Lau Jasmine have to contend with the bronze medal in the women’s synchronised three metre springboard with 255.72 points.

The gold medal went to China’s Huang Xiaohui-Wei Ying with 291.30 points while the Russian pair of Karina Shkliar-Marina Shishkanova won the silver medal with 255.90 points.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

JEMPOL, Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing rider Ahmad Afif Amran finished second in the 9th round of the 2019 Cub Prix Malaysia Petronas championship here today but it was enough for him to retain the CP150 King of Circuit title.

The 24-year-old rider has amassed a total of 147 championship points for an unassailable lead with one round to spare, the season-ending race at the Sepang Circuit on Dec 7 and 8.

The 10th round in Sepang will see a tussle for second spot overall between CP115 champion in 2017 Md Akid Aziz of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor, who has collected 112 points, and Idemitsu Honda Yuzy Racing rider Azroy Hakeem Anuar, who has 102 points.

When met by reporters after the race, Ahmad Afif said he was satisfied with his success because he had not made intensive preparations for this season.

Actually, I did not make the best preparations for this season but I have clinched this title because of the hard work put in by all in the team, said the Terengganu-born racer.

In the 20-lap 9th round race at Dataran Seri Jempol today, Ahmad Afif clocked 15 min 06.511 sec to finish second behind winner Md Akid, who clocked 15:05.564s.

Ahmad Afif’s teammate Md Aiman Thiruddin came in third on 15:07.494s.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun gave away the prizes.

In the CP115 category, leader Ahmad Syukran Aizat Md Yusoff of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-CKJ Racing gave a sterling display to lead from start to finish.

He completed the 15-lap race in 11:59.248s, ahead of second-placed Md Syafiq Rosli of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha Maju Motor, who clocked 12:00.230s, and Motul Yamaha YY Pang Racing’s Md Adib Rosley, who was third on 12:01.476s.

Abdullah Qayyum Abd Razak (AFB TECH Racing) won the 12-lap WIRA KBS category in a time of 9:44.355s, followed by Awal M Al Fikri Yusni of Petronas Sprinta Yamaha-31 Racing in second place on 9:44.574s and WIRAMUDA V-FIERTECH Academy Racing rider Akif Hakimi Zainuddin in third place on 9:45.393s

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)

KUALA LUMPUR, National keglers Adrian Ang and Natasha Roslan are expecting a tough challenge at the 55th Bowling World Cup which starts tomorrow at the Bowling Centre, Jakabaring Sports City in Palembang, Indonesia.

The 31-year-old Ang, who is making his third appearance at the World Cup, is aware that the different type of lanes would present bowlers with a mammoth task to stay consistent throughout their games.

“I hope to be third time lucky but in this tournament, almost everybody who is a good bowler with a good track record has a good chance.

The problem is that the standard varies from end to end and one has to be consistent, according to the Penangite in a statement issued by the Malaysian Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) today.

Ang finished 17th when making his World Cup debut in 2006 in Venezuela and was 23rd in 2011 when it was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sharing his sentiment is Natasha, who, however, is upbeat on her chances to clinch a better score, having bowled at the same venue in the 2018 Asian Games.

“The lanes were similar to as when we bowled during the Asian Games but it is more friendly for high scores now. I suppose I have to see more consistent ball reaction and shoot high scores, quipped the 23-year-old who won the 2016 World Youth Masters title.

Other top contenders in the men’s category include defending champion Sam Cooley from Australia, Indonesian veteran Ryan Leonard Lalisang and American John Janawicz, while the women’s category would see a stiff competition between two-time champion Aumi Guerra of Dominican Republic and 2017 winner Krizziah Lyn Tabora of the Philippines.

Source: BERNAMA (News Agency)