Mismatch

JDT’s Nacho Mendez (right) fights for the ball with KL’s forward Safawi Rasid (left) during the Malaysia’s Cup semi-final first leg match at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium, April 3, 2026. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

Enduring friendship

China’s Premier Li Qiang with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shaking hands after witnessing the exchange of several Memorandums of Understanding and agreements in various areas of cooperation including digital economy, green development, tourism, housing and urbanisation development, higher education, science and technology and the export of agri-commodities to China, June 19, 2024. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

Coming through

Malaysia’s Stuart Wilkin (right) in action against India’s Lallianzuala Chhangte (left) during the Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, October 13, 2023. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s La’Vere Corbin Ong (left) battles for the ball with India’s Nikhil Chandrashekhar Poojary (right) during the Merdeka Tournament at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, October 13, 2023. — GLENN GUAN/The Star

Hard hittin’

Laos’ Somboun Banxadeth (right) makes a kick against Myanmar’s Thein Soe during the khun khmer men’s 51kg quaterfinal match at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 6, 2023. — GLENN GUAN/The Star