Asian Cup Sepak Takraw: Malaysia loss 0 -2 to Thailand
THE country's 34-year wait for the national sepak takraw squad to emerge as champions in the team regu event continued after a 0-2 defeat to traditional arch-rivals Thailand in the final of the 2025 Asian Cup Sepak Takraw Championship at Stadium Titiwangsa here today.
The result witnessed on home soil meant the national squad had to concede the title again, thus only managing to secure two trophies in the quadrant and regu events respectively in this inaugural edition of the championship.
The last time Malaysia emerged as champions in the team event was at the 1991 Manila SEA Games, and since then, the national squad has faced a long wait to break the dominance of the White Elephants in the sport of sepak takraw.
In the match played in front of over 1,000 supporters who filled every corner of the championship venue, the squad coached by Ahmad Jais Baharun fielded the first regu of Amirul Zazwan Amir (feeder), Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong), and Mohamad Azlan Alias (killer), who lost 11-15, then were forced to sweat to come back and tie the score at 15-12 but ultimately succumbed to a 15-17 defeat to Thailand.
While high hopes were placed on the nation's second regu of Farhan Adam, Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam, and Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin to stage a comeback against the Thai regu of Sittipong Kamchan, Tanaphon Sapyen, and Sirisak Anuloon, they managed to record a 15-13 victory in the first set but lost 13-15 in the second and 4-15 in the deciding game.
The defeat also saw Malaysia fail to take revenge against the rival in the same event at the 2024 World Sepak Takraw Championship.
Team captain Farhan Adam, when met after the match, stated that the result was somewhat disappointing but Malaysia fought as hard as possible and will rise to take revenge at the King's Cup in Thailand next July.
'Actually, all the players had instilled in themselves a desire to end the long drought, but it was unsuccessful,' he said.
India and South Korea shared third placing.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Soon Huat-Shevon offer tactical tips to beat in-form Thai rivals
KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai fell once again to Thailand's in-form mixed doubles duo, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran — but not without leaving valuable lessons for compatriots Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. The world No. 5 were outplayed 21-16, 21-12 in Friday's Indonesia Open quarter-finals — their fifth defeat in six meetings this year against the fast-rising Thai pair. Soon Huat-Shevon, who have struggled to cope with the relentless Thai attack, now hope Tang Jie-Ee Wei can succeed where they failed in Saturday's semi-final against the same opponents. "They're very consistent and keep a high pace throughout to pressure us," said Soon Huat. "We just couldn't keep up with their speed." That speed and precision are the hallmark of Dechapol-Supissara's partnership cince they teamed up in October last year. In just eight months, they've rocketed to world No. 6 and already claimed five titles, including the Malaysia Open (Super 1000) in January and the Singapore Open (Super 750) last week. While Dechapol needs no introduction — he won the 2021 world title with former partner Sapsiree Taerattanachai and once topped the world rankings — it's his chemistry with Supissara that's caught attention. Supissara, who previously had limited success with Supak Jomkoh, has clicked immediately with Dechapol to form one of the most dangerous combinations on tour. "Compared to when Dechapol was with Sapsiree, his partnership with Supissara is faster in front-and-back attacking transitions," said Shevon. "With Sapsiree, their game focused more on rotation. She was strong defensively. But Supissara brings a more traditional mixed doubles approach — the woman at the net, the man at the back. "Dechapol is high-energy. He does everything — backcourt, frontcourt, defence, midcourt. They switch tactics constantly and have so many options. That's what makes them hard to handle." Shevon also admitted her own inconsistency proved costly. "My performance wasn't as stable or consistent as I wanted it to be," she said. "We gave away too many easy points. I need to reflect on that — especially when we're playing back-to-back tournaments." Soon Huat-Shevon will now take a short break before returning for the Japan Open and China Open next month.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Soon Huat-Shevon floored by familiar Thai foes in Jakarta
KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 5 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai's Indonesia Open campaign came to an end in the quarter-finals after yet another defeat to familiar rivals Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran on Friday. The husband-and-wife combination were outclassed 21-16, 21-12 by the in-form Thai duo - fresh off their Singapore Open win - who now lead 5-2 in their head-to-head record this season. Despite the setback, it was still a noteworthy achievement for Soon Huat-Shevon, marking their best outing at the Indonesia Open since reaching the quarter-finals in 2019.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
Ex-Arsenal Star Jay Emmanuel-Thomas Jailed for Drug Smuggling
LONDON: Former Arsenal player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was jailed for four years on Thursday for his involvement in a £600,000 ($812,000) drug smuggling plot. The 34-year-old was arrested in September last year after officers seized roughly 60 kilograms of cannabis brought through London's Stansted Airport by two women he had recruited - his girlfriend and her friend - on a flight from Thai capital Bangkok via Dubai. An earlier hearing heard the women -- who were found not guilty -- believed they were importing gold. Emmanuel-Thomas, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a smuggling charge, was sacked by Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton after his arrest. His lawyer conceded the father-of-two had made a 'catastrophic error of judgment' after falling on financial hard times. A highly-promising graduate of Arsenal's academy, Emmanuel-Thomas made five appearances for the Gunners before leaving the north London club in 2011. The English player went on to feature for Ipswich, Bristol City, QPR and Aberdeen among a host other clubs, including Thai side PTT Rayong. Judge Alexander Mills, said in imposing a four-year sentence: 'It's through your own action that you will no longer be known for playing professional football. 'You will be known as a criminal. A professional footballer who threw it all away.'
