MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | JAN 5, 2024 25 the entry level Pro model, Premium, and the flagship model seen here, the Brabus. Priced at RM249,000, this is officially the cheapest Brabus model that has ever gone on sale. And those that know Brabus will understand that Brabus cars are not your regular run of the mill models. Any car that has the Brabus logo is something special, and the #1 Brabus is no different. While the lesser variants can be described as regular EV’s, the Brabus adds performance and good looks to it, particularly in this matte grey colour with its contrasting radiant red roof. True to the original plan, the #1 was designed by Mercedes-Benz while Geely focused on the engineering. It is built on Geely’s Sustainable Electric Architecture (SEA) platform that also underpins other Geely brands like the Lotus Eletre, Zeekr 01 and Polestar models. But the #1 runs on the SEA2 version to be exact, which is the same platform that is found on the Zeekr X and the Volvo EX30. In terms of size, the #1 Brabus is 4270mm long, 1822mm wide and has a 2750mm wheelbase. At first glance, it looks similar in size to a MINI Countryman, but once you research the numbers, you will notice that it is in fact slightly longer than a Honda Civic. This should not come as a surprise though as the #1 is technically Smart’s first SUV. Despite being quite large, which is something Smart cars were never meant to be, there is no mistaking its design. Somehow, Mercedes-Benz has managed to make it bigger, yet still retain its design DNA. The LED lights at the front and the back are connected by a light strip that runs across the length of the car. This looks good and accentuates the width of the car. Take a seat in the captain’s chair and you are greeted by a minimalist interior. Directly ahead of you is a small 9.2-inch meter cluster that gives you all the essential readings such as the speed, battery charge and range of the car. Up ahead there is a 10-inch headsup display that can be adjusted according to your height. Dominating the interior though is a massive 12.8-inch infotainment screen that houses all the controls of the car. From here you adjust everything from the position of the side view mirrors to the safety systems, the entertainment, navigation and even look for the closest charging station. One nifty feature that it has is a builtin navigation system with local info on charging stations. This shows you all the charging stations that are located near you, the status of the station (operational or not) and its charging performance. The one feature we particularly like is that you can key in your destination into the map, let the car do the calculations for you and it will tell you whether you have enough juice to get there. If you don’t, the car will show you where to charge and how long it will take you. It basically does all the hard work for you, and that is something that makes owning an EV more pleasant since there aren’t as many charging stations as petrol stations. Once you have that out of the way, you can sit back and indulge in one of the finest sound systems found in an automobile. Entertainment is provided by Beats with 13-speakers placed all around the interior to ensure you don’t only hear your favourite music the way the artist intended you to, but also feel it deep in your organs. But in case you are not an audiophile like us, you will be happy to know that the Brabus has its own augment engine sounds as well. There are two different engine sound options called the Smart original sound and classic, which sounds too fake as compared to the former. These sounds match the character of the Brabus, with 428PS and 543Nm at its disposal, this #1 is capable of some serious performance. The acceleration to 100kph is seen off in 3.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 180kph. This is blisteringly quick considering that it weighs in at a hefty 1900kg. Even charging it up is quite impressive. The #1 is capable of 22kW AC charging which allows it to recharge from 10 to 80% in just three hours. That is seriously fast and rare. Most EV cars in Malaysia are only capable of 11kW or 7kW AC charging, and only expensive EV’s like Audi’s eTron’s or the Porsche Taycan are capable of 22kW AC charging. But of course, it is also capable of some seriously fast DC charging. With 150kW capability, it can spruce up from 10 to 80% in just 30 minutes. The only problem? There are not that many 150kW DC chargers available that allow you to do that. As for range, the #1 Brabus has a 400km range as compared to the 440km of the Premium variant, but that is still better than the 315km of the entry-level Pro variant. Besides its obvious performance talents, there is much to love about the #1 Brabus, such as its spaciousness that allows a family of five to get fairly comfortable with luggage space for a weekend at the beach. Build quality is great too and features such as the vehicle to load function lets you power up appliances like a fan or a coffee machine if you like to spend time outdoors. Even driving it is super fun as the suspension has been stiffened to match its performance, meaning you can throw it into corners and slingshot out in stitches of laughter. But when you want to take it slow, just press a button to open the full panoramic roof and turn off the radio, sink into the ultrasuede leather seats and bask in its silent ambiance. But it is not all praise for the #1 Brabus. The Gunmetal trim around the centre console tends to glare in the afternoon sun and this blinds you when driving. There are no audio buttons so you are left with the steering buttons or have to dive into that centre screen to adjust simple things like the volume. Then there is the annoying Lane Keep Assist function that forces you to fight the car which wants to stay in its lane when all you want to do is swerve out of the way of a suicidal motorcyclist. These are simple things that can be irritating, but they are not deal breakers as there is plenty to love about the #1 Brabus. In fact, and at the risk of being crucified by Teslaholics, we would go so far as to say that it is perhaps a better buy than a Tesla. We dived into Tesla Malaysia’s website and specified our very own Model 3. We chose the Long-Range version with 19-inch wheels and full self-driving capability. And that would set us back RM262,500. But its glass roof does not have a shade, nor can a tint keep it cool enough for a bald man to drive comfortably, so that is out. Then we chose the Model Y and opted for the Long-Range variant with 20-inch wheels with self-driving capabilities and that would set us back RM293,000, which is substantially more than the #1 Brabus. And besides, the real flex is owning a Brabus, how many people can say that? Also, if you buy a Smart over a Tesla, the friendly salespeople will even help you apply for a loan, where else with a Tesla, you must do everything yourself, very much like assembling Ikea furniture. 12.8” infotainment screen houses all the controls, you even adjust the side mirrors from here. The 9.2” meter doubles up as the meter cluster. Switches are from Mercedes-Benz. Rear passengers get their own airconditioning vents and two USB ports. SPECIFICATIONS Motor: Dual Electric Motors Power: 428PS Torque: 543Nm Range: 400km AC Charging: 22kW; 10-80% in 3 hours DC Charging: 150kW; 10-80% in 30 mins Performance, Features, Handling. Simple controls can be hard to access. 411L booth space is decent for a weekend escapade. The seats are wrapped in ultrasuede leather that are similar to alcantara leather and the rear seats (bottom) are spacious.
MOTORING MOTORING FRIDAY | JAN 5, 2024 26 Xiaomi steps into the EV world CHINESE tech giant Xiaomi has officially stepped into the electric vehicle (EV) market with the launch of its highly anticipated SU7 sedan. It is positioned as a high-performance electric vehicle, boasting features that could potentially challenge competitors like Tesla and Porsche. The SU7, short for “Speed Ultra 7,” is available in two variants: a standard rear-wheel-drive model and a Max version equipped with dualmotor all-wheel drive. Xiaomi claims that the vehicle offers acceleration speeds surpassing those of rival EVs. Let’s delve into the key specifications of each version. Standard Version has an acceleration (0- 100kph) of 5.28 seconds with a top speed of 210kph. This comes from 200ps and 400Nm of torque that it puts out. It has a recharge range of 668km The Max Version, on the other hand, has an acceleration (0-100kph) of 2.78 seconds with a top speed of 265kph. It puts out 673ps and 838Nm of torque with a recharge range of 800km. One standout feature of the SU7 is its massive CATL battery, utilising Xiaomi’s proprietary CellTo-Body (CTB) technology. The battery is integrated into the floor of the car, providing structural rigidity and optimising interior cabin space. The company claims to have developed advanced technology, including fast-charging capabilities, to mitigate the impact of extreme cold weather on the battery, ensuring sustained performance. The Xiaomi SU7 is expected to be available for purchase in early 2024, primarily in the Chinese market. The car will be offered in three distinctive colours: Aqua Blue, Mineral Gray, and Verdant Green. Despite the comprehensive unveiling, Xiaomi has not disclosed specific pricing details or detailed plans for international distribution at this time. The introduction of the SU7 marks Xiaomi’s entry into the highly competitive electric vehicle landscape, joining the ranks of tech companies venturing into the future of sustainable transportation. As EV adoption continues to grow globally, Xiaomi aims to carve its niche with a highperformance and technologically advanced offering. Beyond expectations CHINESE automaker BYD has reported a significant milestone in its electric vehicle (EV) sales, with a recordbreaking 3,024,417 new energy vehicles sold in 2023. This figure represents a remarkable year-on-year increase of 62.3%, surpassing the previous year’s sales record of 1,863,494 vehicles. The impressive growth in sales is attributed to BYD’s commitment to new energy vehicle production, with 3,045,231 units manufactured in 2023 – a 62.2% increase compared to the previous year. The commercial vehicle segment played a crucial role, recording sales of 11,511 units, including electric buses, trucks, and other vehicles, experiencing a notable uptick of 88.2%. In the passenger car business, BYD’s sales reached 3,012,906 units, marking a year-on-year increase of 62.2%. Notably, the sales of pure electric models surged, totalling 1,574,822 units with a robust year-on-year growth of 72.8%. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 52.3% of total passenger car sales, reflecting increasing consumer preference for electric mobility. Plug-in hybrid models also exhibited substantial growth, with sales reaching 1,438,084 units in 2023 – a year-on-year increase of 52.0%. BYD’s overseas electric vehicle sales saw remarkable growth, reaching 242,766 vehicles sold outside China in 2023, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 334%. BYD has positioned itself as a significant player in battery production, achieving a new energy vehicle power and battery installed capacity of 150.909GWh in 2023, securing the second position globally, surpassed only by CATL. The company had set an ambitious goal of selling 3 million vehicles in 2023, a target that was initially met with scepticism. However, BYD not only achieved but exceeded this goal. To celebrate this achievement, BYD is providing subsidies to all its dealers in China, offering a reward of 666 yuan (RM430) for every car sold in 2023, marking a significant milestone in its automotive journey. Enhanced sound system, Head-Up Display for GTI VOLKSWAGEN Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has unveiled an upgraded version of the Golf GTI, now equipped with a premium Harman Kardon audio system and a Head-up Display. Priced at RM252,990, these enhancements aim to provide an elevated driving experience for enthusiasts. The addition of the Harman Kardon 480-watt audio system complements the Golf GTI’s interior, delivering an immersive surround sound experience through its 10 speakers. This feature enhances the overall ambience of the GTI, providing impressive acoustics for an immersive driving experience. Another notable feature introduced in the upgraded Golf GTI is the Head-up Display. This innovative safety feature projects essential information directly onto the driver’s field of vision on the windscreen. Vital data, including speed, navigation details, and system warnings, is presented in a way that allows drivers to stay informed without diverting their attention from the road. The Golf GTI, a renowned icon among hot hatches, continues to impress with its powerful performance. It is powered by a 2.0TSI turbocharged engine coupled with a 7-speed wet clutch DSG, generating an impressive 245PS and 370Nm of torque. Recognisable by its signature honeycomb front grille, red GTI trims, and sporty 18” Richmond alloy wheels, the car also features full LED headlamps and taillights. In addition to its performance and aesthetic features, the GTI boasts the IQ. Drive system, a comprehensive Driver Assistance System (DAS) that enhances safety and comfort. This system includes features such as Travel Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Side Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front Assist (AEB), Lane Assist, and Adaptive Lane Guidance. VPCM is offering a complete package for the hot hatch, including 5 years of free maintenance, 5 years of unlimited mileage warranty, and 5 years of roadside assistance. To showcase the updated GTI and other Volkswagen models, VPCM is launching its first Volkswagen Tour of the year in Penang, featuring models such as the Arteon R-Line, Golf R, and Tiguan Allspace R-Line, along with test drive opportunities. Bookings and test drive arrangements can be made at authorised Volkswagen dealerships nationwide. Gold Koenigsegg Jesko on ‘Attack’ mode KOENIGSEGG has just delivered a jawdropping Jesko ‘Attack’ to a lucky owner, featuring an exterior entirely clad in glossy exposed carbon fibre with exquisite 24-karat gold leaf accents. Limited to just 125 units worldwide, the Jesko replaces the renowned Agera and has quickly become a coveted hypercar. Taking inspiration from the iconic Agera RS named “Phoenix,” owned by real estate mogul Manny Khoshbin, this Jesko boasts clear-coated exposed carbon fibre body panels adorned with delicate gold specks. The opulent use of 24-karat gold leaf is evident in various exterior elements, including front canards, wing mirror arms, a central front fascia element, side skirt aerodynamic flics, rear wing endplates, Koenigsegg badges, and roof accents. This specific Jesko is the “Attack” variant, emphasising track-focused performance with aggressive aerodynamics to enhance downforce.
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Muruku Buntong entrepreneur’s Deepavali snack, made from a still a national favourite 60-year-old recipe, is constantly in high demand. Chicken price float benefits consumers A week after subsidies ended, market prices are competitive and lower than subsidised prices, says expert. Full report —on page 3 Full report —on page 6 Full report —on page 4 Citing protection of country’s interests in terms of diplomatic, economic relations and security as reasons for joining meeting, Anwar says he remains steadfast in defending justice and rights of Palestinians. I will show up at Apec Story on page 2 Full story -on page 2 SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE /thesundaily FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK Malaysian Paper ‘I’ll be okay’ NOVAK DJOKOVIC (pix) expects to be back in full shape for the Australian Open starting next week after a wrist injury prevented him from finding his best level during a 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Alex de Minaur on Wednesday. Djokovic suffered his first defeat in Australia for six years as De Minaur put the hosts on course for a 2-0 win over Serbia in their United Cup quarterfinal. “I knew that probably, (I was) not going to be at 100% physically, e m o t i o n a l l y , mentally gamewise in the opening week of a season. Neither did I expect that,” Djokovic, who had to have treatment on the wrist for the second day running, told a press conference. “I was not on my level but it was just one of these days where I didn’t feel my best on the court, and (my) opponent played very well.” However, the record 10-times Australian Open winner appeared optimistic about overcoming the wrist issue ahead of the first Grand Slam of the season. “I think I’ll be okay, to be honest,” he said. “(The wrist injury) did have quite an impact, particularly on the forehand and serve. (But) I have plenty of time, I think enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open.” Kyrgios blasts ATP over Djokovic injury NICK KYRGIOS has hit out at the ATP and insisted that the consistent changing of tennis balls between t o u r n a m e n t s caused Novak D j o k o v i c ’ s recent injury. A major complaint that has grown over the past year has been the different sets of balls used in competitions, with Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz among the leading players to raise concerns that it is leading to more frequent injuries. Taking to X after Djokovic’s surprise defeat to Alex de Minaur, Kyrgios insisted that the ATP are to blame for the 37-year-old’s injury after failing to address complaints over the sport’s equipment. “Change of balls every week finally got to novaks (sic) wrist,” Kyrgios wrote. “The ATP really need to do something about this problem. Players suffer all the time.” TRAMLINES Warming up to rebels IPL format for LIV Golf might get strongest critic McIlroy on board RO R Y M C I L R O Y says if LIV Golf was modelled like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and staged over two months then he would consider playing in it. The 34-year-old Northern Irishman has been a vocal opponent of the Saudi Arabia-funded LIV Golf once saying he would retire rather than play in it “if it was the last place to play golf on earth”. However, he has toned it down of late – especially after his friend, fellow Ryder Cup star and formerly a stringent critic of LIV Jon Rahm decamped and is reportedly set to earn upwards of US$566 million (RM2.6b). Attracting some of world cricket’s top stars with bumper salaries, the pioneering IPL helped make Twenty20 hugely popular, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers and spawning copycat events worldwide. Last June, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sold the broadcast rights for the next five IPL seasons to global media giants for an eye-watering US$6.2 billion (RM28.5b). LIV’s circuit is based around team events with its 48 players split into 12 teams. “I would love LIV to turn into the IPL of golf,” McIlroy told the Stick to Football Podcast. “They take two months of calendar. You go and do this team stuff and a bit different and is a different format. “If they were to do something like that I would say ‘yeah that sounds like fun’ because you are working within the ecosystem.” McIlroy said he had “accepted” LIV is “part of our sport now” but he takes issue with the huge sums being paid to players when it could be used to invest in the sport. He hoped the divisions sparked by the breakaway would be healed but he feared there was a lack of will to do so. “I hope everyone comes back together,” he said. “People need to put their egos and feelings aside and come back together and we all move forward because that would be a good thing for golf.” – McIlroy. – REUTERSPIX AFP
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JAN 5, 2024 30 Los Blancosfind a way Rudiger scrapes Madrid to tight win over Mallorca ANTONIO RUDIGER snatched Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Real Mallorca to take them provisionally three points clear at the top of La Liga yesterday. The defender headed home from a corner with 12 minutes remaining to settle a tight clash in which Mallorca twice hit the woodwork. Vinicius Junior made his return from injury as Los Blancos struggled to find a way through against their stubborn visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu. Eventually Rudiger converted from Luka Modric’s corner to seal victory ahead of s e c o n d - p l a c e Girona’s clash with Atletico Madrid, third, later Wednesday. “I scored last season (against Mallorca) and this year again, I’m very happy because it was an important goal and an important three points for us,” said Rudiger. Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was happy his team took advantage of a set piece to secure victory, just as they did against Alaves in their last game of 2023. “We lacked some freshness and accuracy in the final third, but we won because of a well-taken set piece,” Ancelotti told reporters. “There are games like today’s in which dead balls can give you an advantage – we played against a team that defended well. “In this first stretch of the season we have scored many goals from set pieces, the coaching staff works very well, we have good throwers, we have formidable headers, like Rudiger. “Games like this are those in which the set piece gives an advantage, Mallorca was very organised, very strong in the duels. “We have not played at our best level. It was normal to expect it, there was a lack of freshness in the last third. But we won with a well-made set piece.” Referring to goalscorer Rudiger, Ancelotti added: “He has taken advantage of others’ injuries. He is performing at a very high level, with continuity. “He is always ready in duels. He is an insurance that we have behind. He is doing his best.” Madrid have now gone 18 matches without defeat across all competitions and kept yet another clean sheet. “It makes me happy, the team works well, there is commitment, and the defensive work is not about quality, but about attitude,” Ancelotti said. “We fixed the problem we had versus Atletico. We lack people at the back, but we are very solid. It is the most important thing.” La Liga’s top goalscorer Jude Bellingham had a rare off day in front of goal but Ancelotti was not too concerned about the Englishman’s form, telling managingmadrid.com: “It shouldn’t be surprising that Bellingham doesn’t score goals; he has to work, and he has worked. “When he scores, and he scores a lot of goals, it’s a plus. His game was similar to all the other attackers. There was a lack of success and a little freshness.” – AFP/Agencies Mbappe undecided on his future as contract winds down PARIS ST-GERMAIN forward Kylian Mbappe said he has not made up his mind about where he will play next season as his contract enters its final six months. Mbappe said last year he would not renew his contract at PSG, which expires at the end of the 2023-24 season when he could leave Paris for free. The France captain, who has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a new club. “First of all, I’m very, very, very motivated for this year. It’s very important,” Mbappe told reporters after PSG’s 2-0 win over Toulouse in the French Super Cup final yesterday. “As I said, we’ve got titles to go after and we’ve already won one, so that’s already done. After that, no, I haven’t made up my mind yet. “But in any case, with the agreement I made with the chairman (Nasser Al-Khelaifi) this summer, it doesn’t matter what I decide. “We managed to protect all parties and preserve the club’s serenity for the challenges ahead, which remains the most important thing. So we’ll say it’s secondary.” Media reports in September said Mbappe had agreed to forego loyalty bonuses worth up to €100 million (RM500m) if he left PSG on a free transfer. In 2022, Mbappe waited until May to announce a contract extension at PSG, just weeks before the transfer window opened. The 25-year-old said he may not leave it so late this time around. In yesterday’s match, Lee Kang-in and Mbappe scored first half goals as PSG won the first silverware of the French season. “We were exceptional in the first half. It was our best 45 minutes of my time here,” said PSG coach Luis Enrique after claiming his first silverware as a coach since leaving Barcelona in 2017. – Reuters/AFP CRYSTAL PALACE boss Roy Hodgson believes leading former players such as Wayne Rooney often face “unrealistic” expectations when they become managers. Ex-England captain Rooney, who played under Hodgson when the now 76-year-old was managing the national side, found himself out of a job on Tuesday when sacked as manager of second-tier Birmingham after just 83 days in charge. The former Manchester United striker said he did not “believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed”. Many leading players have struggled as managers, with Rooney’s former England teammates Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard enjoying nothing like the success of their playing days during their second career in the English game. Hodgson, who himself returned for a second spell at Palace following France great Patrick Vieira’s sacking last March, said yesterday: “It’s perhaps more a question of the climate people work in these days. “I think sometimes the biggername players won’t be given a chance at a top club or a club in an elevated position. “I’m thinking in particular Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard even more than Wayne, but unfortunately the way the climate is these days is that the judgement on them will come very, very quickly and will be quite severe.” Hodgson, who in common with a number of managers had a modest playing career, added much of the blame lay with owners looking for a quick fix. “They’ll be welcomed into the club because of their name and they’ll be expected because they are Steven Gerrard and because they are Frank Lampard (that) suddenly you’re going to come in and the team that you’re going to be taking over, which hasn’t been doing brilliantly is suddenly going to fly because you’re here. “That’s unrealistic. They’ve got a point when they say, ‘I didn’t really get a chance. No one gave me two years. I didn’t get three or four transfer windows, I didn’t get a chance to really decide when I took over the group of players’. “Let’s get Rooney, let’s get Lampard, let’s get Gerrard, and there’s no change? Well, that’s where the dream, the myth, is quite often proliferated, that a manager has some sort of magic wand and he will wave that wand and the team that has been doing badly will now do well, because he is there. “Sometimes it works, but it is by no means a certainty,” added Hodgson. – AFP Stars like Rooney have no magic wand: Hodgson Dyche wants to scrap winter break EVERTON manager Sean Dyche said the Premier League should scrap its winter break to ease the packed fixture schedule over the festive period and lessen the advantage enjoyed by bigger clubs with deeper squads. There are no Premier League matches this weekend, with the FA Cup third round taking precedence, while all clubs will have one of the two following weekends off in a mini winter break. Everton played eight games in all competitions in December but will play a maximum of just four this month, beginning with their trip to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup overnight. “I don’t see the point of it when you’ve just had so many games in December. It’s not that beneficial,” Dyche told reporters yesterday. “It would be better to lose one or two of these games in December and put them in there to spread it out. That’s a better scenario. It’s a more level playing field then. With more games, the big clubs are bound to gain because of their big squads.” Atalanta set up clash with Milan ATALANTA beat Sassuolo 3-1 yeterday to qualify for the Italian Cup quarterfinals where they will meet AC Milan. On loan from Milan, Belgian striker Charles De Ketelaere scored the first two of Atalanta’s goals before also providing the assist for the third, scored by Russian Aleksei Miranchuk. Milan defeated Cagliari 4-1 on Tuesday and will face Atalanta at the San Siro on Jan 10. Holders Inter Milan were knocked out by Bologna in a game that went to extra time last month while champions Napoli were thumped 4-0 by Frosinone. Roma came from behind in a 2- 1 win over second-tier Cremonese with Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala scoring the goals that ensure a Rome derby against Lazio in the quarters. Onana puts Cameroon on hold for Spurs clash ANDRE ONANA will link up with the Cameroon squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after Manchester United play Tottenham on Jan 14, the PA news agency understands. It had been reported that United were in talks with Onana’s national team over the goalkeeper’s release date for the tournament in Ivory Coast that gets under way a week tomorrow. The 27-year-old is now set to stay with the club for their Premier League match against Spurs at Old Trafford the following day before joining up with Cameroon – whose campaign then starts on Jan 15 with a match against Guinea. United also have one fixture before the Tottenham game, playing at Wigan in the FA Cup third round on Monday. The Cameroonian football association is understood to have agreed to be flexible on the release date for a player who was persuaded to come out of international retirement earlier this season. Erik ten Hag’s side could be boosted further for their clash with Tottenham after confirming that Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez have both returned to training following long-term injuries. Brazil midfielder Casemiro has not played since the Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle on Nov 1, while influential defender Martinez has been sidelined since September. United said yesterday that the pair had started full training with the team after working individually in recent weeks. – The Independent SIDENETTING Real Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo (left) vies with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham during their La Liga match. – AFPPIX
SPORTS SPORTS FRIDAY | JAN 5, 2024 31 Perak Muay Thai intensifies training to maintain winning streak at Sukma 2024 Go for gold TOUCHLINES THE Perak Muay Thai team, comprised of world-class champions, appear poised to maintain their winning streak at the 2024 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Sarawak, scheduled from Aug 17 to 24. Head Coach Bernard Radin, leading the preparations for the Games through rigorous training and international-level bouts, affirmed that his team is progressing smoothly without any issues. He emphasised that everything is on the right track and proceeding according to plan. Bernard said that in the past year alone, they organised two Muay Thai championships in Ipoh – one in August with a team from Thailand and another in December with a team from Indonesia. These events were instrumental in enhancing the readiness and competency of the athletes. “We aim to produce world-class athletes and achieve a high level of performance, so participation in competitions with athletes from abroad plays a crucial role. “We returned just last week from Koh Samui, Thailand, where we participated in a tournament. There are a few more bouts to go before the final preparations are completed,” he said during today’s training session with the Perak Muay Thai athletes. On the medal target, Bernard said, “For Sukma in Perak, we had set a target of two gold medals and we managed to get more for the Perak contingent, just like in Kuala Lumpur where we had set a target of three gold medals but managed to get four gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals with eight competitors. “If we look at the recent performances of the Perak Muay Thai team, all our athletes are in top form and we are waiting to see what the the National Sports Council (MSN) will determine later. “There may be changes in the respective categories to ensure that the athletes sent will bring home medals,” he said. – Bernama FAM names 26-man team for 2023 Asian Cup THE Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) yesterday revealed the final list of 26 players in the Harimau Malaya squad under the guidance of coach Kim Pan Gon who are set to compete in the 2023 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, from Jan 12 to Feb 10. All 26 players were called up for centralised training at Wisma FAM since Dec 26, witnessing Pan Gon making no changes ahead of the prestigious tournament. Of the 26 players selected, three are goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, and eight forwards, including the newest naturalised player, Romel Morales. Malaysia, ranked 130th in the world, are drawn in Group E alongside Jordan (87), Bahrain (86), and two-time champions South Korea, ranked 23rd. Malaysia, who ended a 42-year wait to qualify for the Asian Cup on merit, will begin the group stage against Jordan at Al Janoub Stadium on Jan 15, face Bahrain at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Jan 20, and conclude against South Korea at Al Janoub Stadium on Jan 25. This marks Malaysia’s fourth appearance in the Asian Cup after qualifying on merit in 1976 in Iran, 1980 in Kuwait, and as co-hosts in 2007. Pan Gon’s team, who arrived in Doha on Jan 1, are scheduled to face Syria in an international friendly match on Jan 8. – Bernama Goalkeeper: Muhammad Azri Ab Ghani, Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamed, Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman. Defender: Matthew Davies, Shahrul Mohd Saad, Daniel Ting, Muhammad Syahmi Safari, Dominic Tan, Junior Eldstal, Dion Cools, La’vere Lawrence Corbin-ong, Ahmad Khuzaimi Piee. Midfielder: Stuart John Wilkin, Endrick Dos Santos, Mohamed Syamer Kutty Abba, Brendan Gan, Mohd Afiq Fazail, Natxo Insa. Foward: Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim, Darren Lok, Muhammad Safawi Rasid, Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, Mohamadou Sumareh, Paulo Josue, Muhammad Akhyar Abdul Rashid, Romel Morales. THE Merdeka Stadium is set to come alive again after being chosen as the venue for the 2024 Sultan of Selangor Cup on Aug 17. Sultan of Selangor Cup Committee chairman Tan Sri Abd Karim Munisar said they chose the iconic stadium to host the 20th edition of the competition to give football fans a nostalgic trip down memory lane at the venue where many national football legends made a name for themselves. Among them are the late Datuk Mokhtar Dahari and Datuk R. Arumugam; Datuk Santokh Singh and the towkay himself, Datuk Soh Chin Aun. “That’s why we are maintaining the Merdeka Stadium in its original form, (for example) there is no digital scoreboard. “Repair works are 70% completed and it (the stadium) will be ready by the end of February for us to host the Sultan of Selangor Cup after a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” he told reporters after visiting the stadium yesterday. He said that besides the Sultan of Selangor Cup between the Selangor Selection and Singapore Selection, the match between the veterans of both teams will also be held at the same venue. “We will also have a fireworks display, a parachute performance by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) team carrying the Jalur Gemilang and Selangor flag… other forms of entertainment will also be included to add more excitement. “Over 20,000 tickets will be sold for the match, with the cheapest costing just RM10,” he said. The teams were crowned joint champions in 2004. The 2015 edition was cancelled due to the extremely concerning levels of haze in the country while the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For sports fans, the Merdeka Stadium is a place filled with memories and a fortress of the national football team in various tournaments, including the Merdeka Tournament. – Bernama Merdeka Stadium to host LA LIGA: goza 70) Cadiz 0, Real Madrid 1 Granada 2 (Uzuni 22, Zara- (Rudi- Sultan of Selangor Cup ger 78) Real Mallorca 0, Celta Vigo 2 (Aspas 16-pen, Swedberg 90+6) Real Betis 1 (Ruibal 6), Girona 4 (Valery 2, Savio 26, Blind 39, Martin 90+1) Atletico Madrid 3 (Morata 14, 44, 54). P W D L F A Pts Real Madrid 19 15 3 1 40 11 48 Girona 19 15 3 1 46 24 48 Atletico 19 12 2 5 39 23 38 Barcelona 18 11 5 2 34 21 38 Bilbao 18 10 5 3 34 19 35 Sociedad 19 8 8 3 30 19 32 Real Betis 19 6 10 3 21 20 28 Getafe 19 6 8 5 24 25 26 Valencia 19 7 5 7 22 23 26 Las Palmas 18 7 4 7 15 15 25 Vallecano 19 5 8 6 18 24 23 Osasuna 18 5 4 9 21 29 19 Villarreal 19 5 4 10 27 38 19 Mallorca 19 3 9 7 17 23 18 Alaves 19 4 5 10 15 25 17 Sevilla 18 3 7 8 23 25 16 Celta Vigo 19 3 7 9 20 29 16 Cadiz 19 2 9 8 14 26 15 Granada 19 2 5 12 22 40 11 Almeria 18 0 5 13 19 42 5 COPPA ITALIA (Round of 16): Roma 2 Cremonese 1, Atalanta 3 Sassuolo 1. FRENCH CHAMPIONS TROPHY: Paris Saint-Germain 2 Toulouse 0. RESULTS & STANDINGS MANCHESTER UNITED have triggered a 12-month extension in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s contract and are planning to begin talks over a new deal for the 26-year-old English defender at the end of the season. EGYPT forward Mohamed Salah, 31, is moving closer to a new contract extension at Liverpool despite interest from the Saudi Pro League. SAUDI ARABIA’S Public Investment Fund (PIF) has renewed its interest in Manchester City and Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and view the 32-yearold as a primary target in the summer. BORUSSIA DORTMUND are hoping to sign Chelsea’s 21-year-old Dutch leftback Ian Maatsen, either on loan or a permanent deal. DORTMUND want Manchester United’s English winger Jadon Sancho, 23, to join them on loan in their Marbella training camp next week. MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in making Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, 22, one of the first signings of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Old Trafford. CHELSEA are prepared to let Brazil defender Thiago Silva leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of the season, with Fluminense ready to offer the 39- year-old a return to his homeland. BAYERN MUNICH are set to renew their interest in signing Fulham’s Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha, 28, and English defender Trevoh Chalobah, 24, from Chelsea during January. ARSENAL are prioritising a move for a leftback in January but manager Mikel Arteta will likely have to settle for a loan deal rather than a permanent transfer. CRYSTAL PALACE are interested in signing England striker Eddie Nketiah but Arsenal will not sell the 24-year-old in January unless they can find a suitable replacement. GIRONA manager Michel Sanchez has emerged as a potential replacement for Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe. Muay Thai team head coach, Bernard Radin (centre) with his charges training in preparation for Sukma Games at the Muay Academy Thai yesterday. – BERNAMAPIX
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] J URGEN KLOPP’S Liverpool had scored seven goals in a Premier League game. They had conceded seven in one, too, a night at Villa Park that had the historians scanning back to 1963 to find a time a Liverpool team had been breached so often. What they had never done – in part because no one else had achieved it in a top-flight English game – was to amass an expected goals ratio of 7.27. Which, as such records date back to 2010-11, means the most in around 5,000 matches. As Liverpool went three points clear at the top of the table, they moved past Manchester City in the xG charts too. Yet the statistic that mattered most at Anfield was 4-2, not 7.27. There was nevertheless something blisteringly brilliant: not about the number in itself, but the manner of the performance that created it. Newcastle United finished ahead of Liverpool last season, competed in the Champions League this season, have clean sheets against Arsenal, AC Milan, Manchester City and Manchester United in the current campaign. They were hit for 7.27: not in the actual scoreline, which had a respectability, but in the measure of the opportunities. For the second time in three League matches at Anfield, Liverpool had 34 shots, equalling their own record for the most in a game in a division by anyone this season. Yet too many of those against Manchester United were from long range, of limited threat. Against Newcastle, it was about the quantity of chances, but also the quality. Penalties tend to be valued at 0.76 of a goal i n the xG figures: Mohamed Salah took two, missing one. “The xG of the two penalties is huge, one I didn’t think was and the other was very soft,” argued Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. That still left an open-play figure of around 5.5. “I didn’t have to look at the stats because I saw it (in the game), it was really special,” said Klopp. The more critical could simply call it a failure of finishing that meant Liverpool had to carry on attacking. It said something, though, that a goalkeeper who conceded four was arguably man of the match. “It was (Martin) Dubravka but it was ourselves as well,” Klopp said. “There were moments where we forced it, when the technique was not great, but then there were moments when Dubravka had a top save as well. We didn’t stop: that’s the most important thing.” And if it takes a constant commitment to attacking to reach 7.27, the suddenly mythical number, a couple of idiosyncratic, irrepressible players help. One of them did not end up on the scoresheet. Defiantly different in every respect, Darwin Nunez is better at amassing expected goals than actual goals. He is the great statistical outlier. He averaged the most shots per 90 minutes this season even before having eight in the 64 before his substitution. He now only has one goal in his last 14 outings. “As long as Darwin has all these moments today, it’s all fine,” said Klopp, who savoured his assist for Salah’s first goal. “I would say everybody in the stadium would have tried to hammer that ball through the goalie just to make it happen. He squares that ball: incredible.” Then there is Salah, who scored two goals, who was involved in two more, whose drive was summed up when he was still surging forward in stoppage time, searching for a hattrick. “Mo is a goalscoring machine,” said Klopp. “Nobody should be now really surprised that Mo can change a game because he did it hundreds of times.” In their own ways, Nunez and Salah are signs of Klopp’s philosophy, of what he wants in a forward. There is a breed of forward who can be anonymous but get one chance and take it. There are others who are ubiquitous and, at times, profligate. Klopp prefers the men who are likelier to wreak havoc to the silent killers. Salah was aided and abetted by Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones, whose work off the ball may support Klopp’s theory that pressing is the best playmaker. It took them all to amass 34 shots. “We scored four goals, which is already an outstanding number,” added Klopp. But the history-making 7.27 stands out still more. – The Independent SCAN ME or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Malaysian Paper Read iPaper at Malaysian Paper Malaysian Paper It takes two to tango -Story on page 28 █ BY RICHARD JOLLY Why Liverpool’s historic night sent a message to their title rivals -Story on page 2 -Story on page 230 Los Blancos - find a way Story on page 29 Rory warming up to rebels FRIDAY | JAN 5, 2024 Champions of xG?