Sepak Takraw Regu Chase First Asian Games Team Gold Since 1990 as Semi-Final Against Indonesia Arrives
Malaysia won all three group matches 3-0 to top Group B and play Indonesia today in the men's team regu semi-final.
Malaysia's sepak takraw team has not won an Asian Games team regu gold since Beijing 1990, 36 years ago. After a perfect group stage in Aichi-Nagoya, it has a real chance to end that wait, and the next step is today's (Thursday, 24 September) semi-final against Indonesia.
A clean sweep in Group B
Malaysia did not drop a single regu in the group stage:
- vs Japan: won 3-0
- vs Philippines: won 3-0
- vs India: won 3-0
The India match was the most closely contested. Bernama reported the individual regu results as follows:
- First regu (Zulkifli, Afifuddin, Aidil Aiman): won 2-1 (15-13, 11-15, 15-6)
- Second regu (Syahir, Azlan, Farhan): won 2-0 (15-9, 15-12)
- Third regu (Zarif, Zazwan, Hafizul): won 2-0 (15-11, 15-5)
The squad
Head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun's nine-man squad:
- Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak
- Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali
- Aidil Aiman Azwawi
- Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi
- Mohamad Azlan Alias
- Farhan Adam
- Muhammad Zarif Marican
- Amirul Zazwan Amir
- Muhammad Hafizul Hayazi Adnan
Coach still wants more
Ahmad Jais was not fully satisfied, even after a 3-0 win. The first regu dropped a set to India, and he pointed to specific problems.
"We need to improve our concentration and shot variation, while our first ball was somewhat loose in the second set," he said, as reported by Bernama.
That is the right attitude going into the knockout stage. Group wins over Japan, the Philippines and India are good results, but the semi-final will be a harder test.
Indonesia next
After the group stage, Malaysia's opponent was confirmed as the Group A runner-up, either South Korea or Indonesia. Malay Mail's preview of Thursday's schedule has since named Indonesia as the semi-final opponent.
Indonesia is a traditional rival in sepak takraw, and matches between the two countries are usually tense. Winning the semi-final guarantees at least a silver.
What to watch
Team regu ties are decided by three separate regus, and Malaysia's strength so far has been its depth. The second and third regus won all their sets in straight games against India. If the first regu, which dropped a set in that match, can tighten up as Ahmad Jais wants, Malaysia will have three strong units against Indonesia instead of two.
Why this gold matters
Sepak takraw is one of the 13 sports the NSC named as medal prospects, and chef de mission Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan is also president of the Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia. A team regu gold would be a first since 1990, and it would help Malaysia's push towards the remaining three golds of its six-gold target.
Key takeaways
- Malaysia topped Group B by beating Japan, the Philippines and India, all 3-0.
- The men's team regu semi-final against Indonesia is on Thursday, 24 September.
- Malaysia last won the team regu gold at Beijing 1990.
- Coach Ahmad Jais Baharun wants sharper concentration and more shot variety.
FAQ
When is Malaysia's sepak takraw semi-final? Thursday, 24 September, against Indonesia.
When did Malaysia last win the team regu at the Asian Games? At Beijing 1990.
Who is Malaysia's coach? Ahmad Jais Baharun.
Sources: Bernama, Malay Mail