PETALING JAYA — The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has appointed Brazilian Joel Cornelli as the new head coach of the national women’s football team.
FAM Women’s Football Committee chair Datuk Suraya Yaacob announced today that Cornelli will officially begin his duties at the end of May, replacing Soleen Al-Zoubi, who now serves as FAM’s Women’s Football Technical Director.
With over two decades of coaching experience, Cornelli expressed his pride at being entrusted with leading the Malayan Tigress, particularly as the squad prepares for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from June 23 to July 5.
“I believe the team has potential, and I’ve seen some players with tremendous quality. We have one month and a half to prepare, and I’ll do my best to organise the squad,” he said at his first press conference today.
Cornelli previously coached Arema FC to the 2024 Indonesian President’s Cup title and helped Jordan’s Etihad Club secure both the 2023 Jordan Women’s Pro League and the 2023 Saudi Arabia Champions Cup.
Suraya said the appointment of the 58-year-old is timely as Malaysia looks to enhance its competitiveness at the international level.
“We welcome Joel into the Malaysian women’s football family. I believe he will bring a fresh and new approach, especially ahead of our Group H campaign at the Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in June,” she said.
Cornelli is expected to begin work with the squad at the central training camp later this month.
Suraya added that FAM’s immediate goals include a strong 2026 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifying campaign and a semi-final berth at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand this December.
Malaysia has been drawn in Group H for the qualifiers, alongside North Korea, Palestine, and hosts Tajikistan. Only the group winners will advance to the final tournament in Australia, scheduled from March 1 to 21, 2026.
Meanwhile, Soleen said Cornelli’s appointment will allow her to focus on the broader development of women’s football in Malaysia — including youth talent pipelines, coach education, and long-term technical planning. — May 14, 2025