Malaysia’s Shareen Png Hui Chuen and Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi competes in the synchronize swimming duet free finals event at the aquatics stadium in Jakabaring in Palembang, Nov 20, 2011. They won the gold medal. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Palembang)

A swimmer in action during the women’s 400m butterfly finals at the aquatic stadium in Jakabaring in Palembang, Nov 14, 2011. GLENN GUAN (Palembang)

Fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony of the 26th SEA Games in Palembang, Indonesia, Nov 11, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Palembang)

Malaysia’s Shirleen Khoo Mei Jee (left) reaches for the ball against Indonesia’s Nova Rusneri during the women’s water polo match at Lumban Tirtra Swimming Stadium in Palembang, Nov 10, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Palembang)

Champions again: Negeri Sembilan celebrating with the Malaysia Cup after beating Terengganu 2-1 in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium, October 29, 2011. It was Negri’s third straight Malaysia Cup final. They beat Kelantan in 2009 and lost to the same opponetns in 2010. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Terengganu’s Joseph Kalang Tie (left) is challenged by Negri Sembilan’s Idris Abdul Karim during their Malaysia Cup final match at the Shah Alam Stadium October 29, 2011. Negri won 2-1. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Terengganu’s Abdul Manaf Mamat (front) is challenged by Negri Sembilan’s Mohamad Aidil Zafuan during their Malaysia Cup final match at the Shah Alam Stadium October 29, 2011. Negri won 2-1. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Negri Sembilan’s Hairuddin Omar and S. Kunalan (right) celebrates after scoring a goal against Terengganu during their Malaysia Cup match at the Shah Alam Stadium October 29, 2011. Negri won 2-1. GLENN GUAN/The Star

KLHC’s Ismail Abu (back) and Sapura’s Izwan Firdaus Ahmad Tajuddin fight for the ball during their MHL Premier league in Bukit Jalil, October 9, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic makes a return against Kei Nishikori of Japan during their semi-final match of the Malaysian Open ATP 250 championships in Bukit Jalil, October 1, 2011. Tipsarevic won 6-4, 6-3. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic celebrates after defeating Kei Nishikori of Japan during their semi-final match of the Malaysian Open ATP 250 championships in Bukit Jalil, October 1, 2011. Tipsarevic won 6-4, 6-3. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Cyprus’s Marcos Baghdatis makes a return to Viktor Troicki of Serbia during their semi-final match of the Malaysian Open ATP 250 championships in Bukit Jalil, October 1, 2011. Baghdatis won 6-3, 6-1. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Japan’s Kei Nishikori makes a return against Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic during their semi-final match of the Malaysian Open ATP 250 championships in Bukit Jalil, October 1, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Malaysia’s Izzaq Faris Ramlan clashes with Japan’s Gotoku Sakai during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysia’s Wan Zack Haikal Wan Nor battles for the ball with Japan’s Gotoku Sakai during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysia’s Mahali Jasuli fights for the ball with Japan’s Gotoku Sakai during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysia’s Mohamad Fandi Othman clashes with Japan’s Hiroshi Kiyotake during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysia’s Izzaq Faris Ramlan clashes with Japan’s Hiroki Sakai (right) during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysia’s K.Gurusamy battles for the ball with Japan’s Keigo Higashi during their Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Malaysian fans cheering during the Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Japanese fans cheering during the Asian Zone Olympic 2012 qualifying match at the Tosu Stadium in Fukuoka, Japan, September 21, 2012. GLENN GUAN/The Star (Fukuoka)

Wrong direction: Felda United skipper Kaironissam Sahabuddin (right) leaves Kelantan’s Norshahrul Idlan Talaha in his wake during the Malaysia Cup Group C match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium, September 14, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Kelantan’s Azzamuddin Mohd Akil (left) and Felda United’s Mohd Syazwan Zainon battle for the ball during the Malaysia Cup Group C match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium, September 14, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star

Kelantan’s captain Badhri Mohd Radzi (left) and Felda United’s Sivanesan Shanmugan tussle for the ball during the Malaysia Cup Group C match at the Selayang Municipal Council Stadium, September 14, 2011. GLENN GUAN/The Star