{
  "id": 9369783,
  "title": "Did gamer Hariz pay the price of training with Iranian rival?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/did-gamer-hariz-pay-the-price-of-training-with-iranian-rival",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T16:02:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/esports/2026/09/1539664/did-gamer-hariz-pay-price-training-iranian-rival"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Malaysia eFootball team reached the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, thanks to training with their Iranian counterparts. However, this also provided Iran with an opportunity to analyze Hariz Hazmi Hakimin's playing style ahead of the gold medal match. Unfortunately, Malaysia fell short, losing 4-2 on aggregate to Iran in the final held at Aichi Sky Expo. Hariz admitted that his Iranian opponent had a minor edge due to his familiarity with Hariz's weaknesses, gained from their previous joint training sessions. While training alongside Iran initially helped Hariz secure a spot in the final, it also granted Iran a slight advantage when Hariz faced him in the championship. Farish Luzman had earlier given Malaysia hope by defeating Abolfazl Aghainasab 2-1 on the mobile platform; yet, Hariz lost 3-0 to Hassan Pajani on the console platform, resulting in Iran's 4-2 aggregate victory. Regardless, Hariz acknowledged that the team's primary goal had been to secure a medal, and reaching the final had already surpassed their initial expectations. They were fortunate to achieve silver after a six-month training program prepared by the National Sports Council and Malaysia Esports Federation.",
  "summary": "AICHI: Training with Iran in the days leading up to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games did help Malaysia’s eFootball side reach the final.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}