PHNOM PENH, May 12 — The national men’s sepak takraw squad assured themselves of a silver medal after downing Cambodia 3 – 0 in the final match of the team event at the NSTC Basketball Hall, earlier today.
After a heartbreaking loss to fancied Thailand in their first game yesterday, coach Ahmad Jais Baharun’s men managed to equal the feat achieved at the previous edition in Hanoi, Vietnam last year.
In today’s action, the first regu of Amirul Zazwan Amir, Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi and Mohd Khairol Zaman Hamir Akbar got the ball rolling by defeating the home team’s regu 21 – 10, 21 – 6 for the first point.
The second regu of Aidil Aiman Azwawi, Muhammad Afiffudin Mohd Razali and Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak then sealed the silver medal when they defeated their Cambodia opponents 21 – 5, 21 – 8.
Malaysia’s third regu of Norfaizzul Abd Razak, Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam and Muhammad Hafizul Hayazi Adnan wrapped all the proceedings with a 21 – 6, 21 – 8 triumph over Cambodia’s third regu.
According to the competition format, the team at the top of the standings at the end of the round-robin stage will win the gold medal while the second and third-placed teams will settle for silver and bronze respectively.
Only three teams took part in the event this time.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Jais has called on the national players to polish up their game for the inter-regu and doubles events.
“Alhamdulillah, in the team event we retained the silver medal. I hope that, after this, our players will be able to show their true colours in the inter-regu and doubles events,” he said.
In the inter-regu, Ahmad Jais reminded the players to give their best in every single match of the round-robin competition to ensure Malaysia can strike gold.
“Our first game in inter-regu is against Thailand. I want our players to be more positive because, in a round-robin format, every game is crucial as the team that tops the standings will take home the gold medal.
“All the countries are sending their best teams for the doubles event too and it’s going to be very challenging. We need to win all our group matches to advance to the semi-finals,” he said.
The men’s doubles event will begin on Sunday (May 14) while the men’s inter-regu will be held on Tuesday (May 16).
The inter-regu will see only Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia taking part.
In the men’s doubles event, Malaysia are in Group B with Myanmar, Singapore and Cambodia while Group A comprises Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam.
— Bernama
