Malaysia Footballer Badly Hurt in Acid Attack Pledges to Play Again

Faisal Halim was severely injured in an acid attack last month.  Arif Kartono / AFP
Faisal Halim was severely injured in an acid attack last month. Arif Kartono / AFP
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Malaysia Footballer Badly Hurt in Acid Attack Pledges to Play Again

Faisal Halim was severely injured in an acid attack last month.  Arif Kartono / AFP
Faisal Halim was severely injured in an acid attack last month. Arif Kartono / AFP

A Malaysian international badly hurt in an acid attack in May broke down in tears on Thursday as he pledged to return to football in "one to two months".
Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim suffered fourth-degree burns on his neck, shoulder, hands and chest in the attack at a shopping center outside Kuala Lumpur on May 5.
Nicknamed "Mickey", the popular 26-year-old spent three weeks in hospital and had multiple surgeries for the burns to his skin, according to AFP.
Speaking to journalists for the first time since the ordeal, a tearful Faisal said: "My hope is to return to the pitch in the next one to two months, even though the doctor says it could take up to six months."
He added: "I am willing to return to training when doctors give me the green light."
Scars were visible on the left side of his head and face. He also appeared underweight and his physical movements seemed slower.
A dozen burly bodyguards wearing black escorted the player into the press conference.
Faisal did not explain why, but said that "right now I am kept in a secret hideout" with his family, expressing hope "I can soon be free and no need to hide".
Two people were arrested after the attack but both were released without any charge. It is unclear what was behind the assault.
Faisal's case was the most serious and high-profile of a string of crimes against four top-flight Malaysian footballers in May.
The incidents are not believed to be linked.
Faisal is an established Malaysian international whose equalizer against South Korea at the start of the year was voted best goal at the Asian Cup.
"I miss football," added Faisal.
Malaysia's domestic football season was scheduled to begin on May 10 with a curtain-raiser between Faisal's Selangor and Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT).
Selangor pulled out citing "a series of criminal incidents and recent threats", but the league got under way the following day under heavy security.



Monterrey Hold Inter Milan 1-1 at Club World Cup 

Monterrey's Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Club World Cup group E soccer match between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP) 
Monterrey's Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Club World Cup group E soccer match between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP) 
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Monterrey Hold Inter Milan 1-1 at Club World Cup 

Monterrey's Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Club World Cup group E soccer match between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP) 
Monterrey's Sergio Ramos, left, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Club World Cup group E soccer match between CF Monterrey and Inter Milan in Pasadena, Calif., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP) 

UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan were held 1-1 by Mexican side Monterrey in their opening Group E game at the Club World Cup in Pasadena on Tuesday.

Inter dominated possession at the outset but underdogs Monterrey struck first, grabbing the lead when 39-year-old defender Sergio Ramos leaped above two defenders to power home a header from a corner in the 25th minute.

The Italians drew level three minutes before halftime when Kristjan Asllani's floated free-kick into the box was played across the face of goal by Carlos Augusto to give Lautaro Martinez the easy tap-in.

Nelson Deossa had a golden opportunity to win it for Monterrey in stoppage time, but his shot ended up in the side netting on a hot day at the Rose Bowl, where plenty of empty seats were visible.

"I think we could have scored a second goal, which we didn't unfortunately," said Inter's Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

"But this is football, we have to work hard, we have to do our best to win the next games because it's a new competition and the teams are very motivated to get out of the group stage.

"I think we have to be more aggressive in front of goal, we need to score more goals. Even today we had chances which we didn't score, unfortunately."

Tuesday's match, the first competitive meeting between the sides, saw both teams debuting new managers.

Cristian Chivu took over from Simone Inzaghi at Inter Milan shortly after their crushing 5-0 Champions League final defeat by Paris St Germain, while Spaniard Domenec Torrent was brought in at Monterrey after their disappointing start to the season.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday.

Monterrey return to the Rose Bowl to face River Plate, who beat Urawa Reds 3-1 earlier in the day, while Inter take on the Japanese side in Seattle.