The victim’s body was discovered on Dec. 14 in Sarawak, six days after Malaysia played Cambodia in the first leg of Group A on Dec. 8.
Sarawak police quickly identified and detained the suspect. Following an investigation, the man admitted to killing the 26-year-old woman to steal her gold bracelet and earrings. He later pawned the items for cash.
“He confessed to killing her to pay for his Cambodia trip to watch the ASEAN Cup,” Sarawak police chief Mancha Ata told Malaysian newspaper Daily Metro.
The victim was reported missing by her family on Dec. 5. Witnesses last saw her with a man she had recently met. Nine days later, her body was found in a landfill, severely decomposed. Police are awaiting DNA test results, expected on Dec. 22, to confirm the victim’s identity.
Malaysia (yellow jersey) in the 2-2 draw with Cambodia in the ASEAN Cup on Dec. 8, 2024. Photo by FAM |
The shocking crime has sparked outrage in the Malaysian football community. Malaysian fans are known for their passionate support, frequently making headlines with their dedication. At the 2023 Asian Cup, a Malaysian fan gained attention for selling his motorbike to afford a trip to Qatar, where Malaysia famously drew 3-3 with South Korea.
At the 2024 ASEAN Cup, Malaysia started well against Cambodia, with Stuart Wilkin scoring in the 35th minute. Cambodia came back with goals from naturalized strikers Abdel Coulibaly and Sa Ty. However, a long-range strike by Fergus Tierney in the 74th minute salvaged a 2-2 draw for Malaysia.
In their second match, Malaysia secured a narrow 3-2 victory over Timor Leste at Bukit Jalil Stadium. However, they suffered a 0-1 loss to Thailand at Thammasat Stadium in the third round.
Malaysia are third in Group A with four points, trailing Singapore by two. The two teams will face off on Dec. 20 to compete for the second spot. Thailand, with nine points, have already secured a semi-final spot and will play Cambodia in the final round. Cambodia, tied with Malaysia in points, head-to-head record, goal difference and number of goals, also aim for a win to advance.
Malaysia’s preparations for the 2024 ASEAN Cup were affected by the absence of key players, as domestic clubs refused to release them. During the tournament, several players were recalled by their clubs mid-competition to play in the national championship, leaving interim coach Pau Marti Vicente struggling to manage the squad.
After the tournament, Malaysia will welcome their new head coach, Peter Cklamovski. The 46-year-old Australian was previously an assistant coach for the Australian national team under Ange Postecoglou, now managing Tottenham Hotspur. Cklamovski also coached FC Tokyo in Japan’s J1 League for two seasons (2023-2024).
Cklamovski’s first challenge as Malaysia’s head coach will be the final qualifying round for the 2027 Asian Cup, where Malaysia are grouped with Vietnam, Laos and Nepal.
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