Malaysia Beat Hosts Japan Three Nil in Their Asian Games Sepak Takraw Opener Without Injured Star Noraizat Nordin
Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim came into the squad after an approved late substitution, and all three Malaysian regus won against Japan in Nagoya.
Malaysia opened their Asian Games sepak takraw campaign with a 3-0 win over hosts Japan in Group B of the men's team regu event at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium on 20 September 2026, despite playing without injured star Muhammad Noraizat Nordin.
The first regu of Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Mohamad Azlan Alias and Farhan Adam won 2-0 to set the tone. The second regu also won in straight sets, and the third regu completed the sweep with a 2-1 victory, according to Bernama and RTM.
Noraizat was ruled out through injury before the Games. The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Federation submitted a request to the Olympic Council of Asia through the Olympic Council of Malaysia for a player substitution, and Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim was approved as his replacement. Bernama reported that the squad still produced a convincing performance without their main attacker.
Malaysia arrived in Japan as world champions in the team regu. They won the Sepak Takraw World Cup title at Stadium Titiwangsa in Kuala Lumpur in June after Thailand walked out of the final in protest at a video review decision, with the match declared a 2-1 win for the hosts.
Malaysia's second Group B match is against the Philippines on 21 September.