Malaysia emerge Asian Cup quadrant champions but fall short in doubles
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia emerged champions of the quadrant event with a straightforward win over Japan but succumbed to Thailand in the doubles final at the sepak takraw Asian Cup today (May 12).
The quadrant final at the Titiwangsa Stadium saw Amirul Zazwan Amir, Muhammad Norfaizzul Abd Razak, Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim and Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali playing with the backing of a raucous home crowd.
The Malaysian quartet rarely put a foot wrong as they downed Japan's Toshitaka Naito, Yuki Sato, Ryota Haruhara and Wataru Narawa 15-8, 15-11 to give Malaysia its first gold at the ongoing Asian Cup.
The doubles final saw Noraizat Mohd Nordin and Aidil Aiman Azwawi giving fans plenty to cheer about after taking the opening set relatively easily.
It, however, did not go to plan as Thailand's Boonkoom Tipwong-Sirisak Anuloon held their nerve and made it count on the big points in the second set en route to securing a 7-15, 15-10, 15-12 win for Thailand.
It was sweet revenge for Thailand as they had lost to Malaysia in the doubles final during the World Cup which was also held in Kuala Lumpur last year.
The regu event will begin tomorrow (May 13).
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