More consistent, composed Thailand still hold the edge, says sepak takraw coach
Malaysia's first-choice regu of Azlan Alias (killer), Syahir Rosdi (tekong) and veteran feeder Farhan Adam beat Sittipong Khamchan, Varayut Jantarasena and Yotsawat Uthaijaronsri in straight sets to win the inter-regu gold at the Titiwangsa Stadium last week which proved Malaysia's win over Thailand in the Kuala Lumpur World Cup last year was no fluke.
Doubles duo Noraizat Nordin and Aidil Aiman Azwawi, who beat Thailand in the World Cup final last year, this time lost in three sets to Boonkoom Tipwong-Sirisak Anuloon.
National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun opted to tweak his regus for the team event final yesterday, opting to field Azlan and Syahir with Amirul Zazwan Amir in the first regu. They lost in three sets to Sutthikiarat Panseankaew, Jakkrit Thinbangbon and Wuttinun Kamsanor.
Farhan joined forces with Noraizat and Haziq Hairul Nizam in the second regu but also lost in three sets to Tanaphon Sapyen, Sittipong Kamchan and Sirisak Anuloon.
Amirul Zazwan Amir, Norfaizzul Abd Razak, Shahalril Aiman Halim and Afifuddin Mohd Razali also won the quadrant gold for Malaysia, beating Japan (Toshitaka Naito, Yuki Sato, Ryota Haruhara and Wataru Narawa) in straight sets. Thailand, however, did not compete in the quadrant which is a relatively newer event though is expected to be contested at the Thailand Sea Games in December.
Jais admitted that his charges will have to raise their game if they are to end Thailand's dominance in the team event.
Malaysia has not beaten Thailand - who have immense strength-in-depth - in the team event since the 1991 Manila Sea Games.
"Thailand were much more composed in the team final and were solid in both attack and defence. They found an extra gear when it mattered," said Jais yesterday.
"I was hoping that we could win one of the first two regus to force a decider and possibly sneak an upset win. We came close in the first two matches but unfortunately it did not go our way.
"I have to admit that our team has to work even harder to improve if we are to beat them, we have to multiply our efforts. We have to be more consistent with our serves and be more solid in defence.
"The Thais are very consistent and are good at absorbing pressure. At the moment, that is what separates us.
"We still have the Thai King's Cup as well as the Thailand Sea Games to compete in this year so we have to keep our chin up and keep grinding."
Malaysia has now beaten Thailand twice in the inter-regu (World Cup and Asian Cup) after many years of playing perennial bridesmaids to the latter.
But whether Azlan, Syahir and Farhan can repeat the feat at the Sea Games this year, where Thailand will have home ground advantage, remains to be seen.
Jais is looking to use the King's Cup, which will be held in Korat on July 20-27, to prepare his squad for the Sea Games.
"Personally, I would prefer to send some different players to the King's Cup," said Jais.
"I believe we have young players who have strong potential but may be lacking exposure in the really big international events.
"This would be a good chance for us to prepare ourselves for the Sea Games."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
7 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pogba watches as Monaco start Ligue 1 season with a win
PARIS: Paul Pogba watched as Monaco easily beat Le Havre 3-1 in their Ligue 1 opener on Saturday as Lyon won away at Lens. On Friday French giants Marseille suffered a first-day upset 1-0 at 10-man Rennes. In Saturday's late game last season's fourth-placed team Nice fell 1-0 at home to Toulouse, but Monaco and Lyon avoided upsets. Georges Mikautadze scored the only goal as Lyon won 1-0 in northern France while 2018 World Cup winner Pogba's appearance in the locker room at the Louis II Stadium was one of the highlights of the first half of Monaco's game. Dressed in a vintage Monaco jersey, a cap on his head, and a big smile on his face, Pogba saw his team quickly take the measure of an outclassed Le Havre. Midfielder Pogba signed a two-year contract with Monaco from Juventus this summer in a bid to relaunch his career back home in France. The former Manchester United player had made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim. However, to see Pogba in a Monaco jersey, fans will have to wait a little longer, along with Guinea-Bissau forward Ansu Fati, the club's other big summer signing. Adi Hutter's hosts proved dominant, particularly in midfield opening after 32 minutes after Gautier Lloris bundled Aleksandr Golovin's powerful cross into his own net. Englishman Eric Dier, also a summer signing, doubled the lead with a header from a well-taken Lamine Camara corner just after the hour mark. Le Havre pulled a goal back six minutes later when Rassoul Ndiaye got the better of new Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky before Maghnes Akliouche put the result beyond a doubt after 74 minutes. Earlier Mikautadze struck at the end of the first half to give seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon their first win since American businesswoman Michele Kang took over as president in June to save the club from relegation after compatriot John Textor resigned amid financial irregularities. Lyon got the better against their former coach Pierre Sage, who took over at Lens after Will Still's departure. Financially constrained for summer signings, Lyon built its success with what it already had with strikers Malick Fofana and Mikautadze and midfield stalwart Corentin Tolisso combining well. Fofana ran rings around the Lens defence, breaking through at the end of the first half when he provided an ideal cross to Mikautadze. Despite 18 shots on goal, Lens were unable to deliver with Wesley Said and Deiver Machado both missing numerous chances. New recruit Florian Thauvin came off the bench for Lens after 57 minutes to rapturous applause from the home fans but despite bringing creativity and freshness, the World Cup winner could not make the difference. Four days after being eliminated in the Champions League qualifying round by Benfica, Nice once again displayed shortcomings in a 1-0 defeat at home to Toulouse with Djibril Sidibe scoring one minute before the final whistle.--AFP
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Soccer-Richarlison double as slick Spurs outclass Burnley
Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Burnley - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - August 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison celebrates scoring their second goal with Pedro Porro Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs LONDON (Reuters) -Tottenham Hotspur launched the Thomas Frank era in emphatic style with a convincing 3-0 Premier League victory over promoted Burnley on Saturday as Richarlison's majestic double set the tone for a dominant home performance. The Brazilian forward struck in the 10th minute, converting a cross from new recruit Mohammed Kudus, before the pair combined again on the hour mark for a spectacular second goal that showcased Richarlison's aerial prowess. Brennan Johnson added the third six minutes later but it was no meek surrender from the visitors, as they managed to take nearly as many shots as Tottenham without finding the net. "I'm extremely happy with the three goals and the clean sheet. If I'm brutally honest, I felt we were a little bit out of synch at times, but the overall performance was good," Frank said. "I like the mentality and the hard work. We worked a lot on crosses, which is big for me, and we scored from two of them. That's an element I was very happy with." The victory was notable for a Premier League first as Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka conceded a corner under new rules, for holding the ball for more than eight seconds. Spurs took the lead when they won the ball back in Burnley's half with their high press, and Kudus found space on the flank to whip in a cross for Richarlison to fire the ball past Dubravka. Spurs had the lion's share of possession and although Burnley responded well and grew into the game by pressing high and forcing turnovers, the visitors failed to beat Guglielmo Vicario. Frank's side came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, pinning Burnley back for long periods and they were rewarded when Richarlison grabbed his second. ACROBATIC EFFORT Kudus created space on the right to cross and Richarlison, stationed near the penalty spot, volleyed home with an acrobatic effort reminiscent of his overhead kick against Serbia at the 2022 World Cup. "Thank you for the assists," Richarlison said as he patted Kudus on the shoulder. "I'm so happy with this guy. Next week he deserves to score because he works so hard for the team." Spurs had a spring in their step and as Burnley looked to gain a foothold in the game, the home side won the ball back in midfield through Richarlison and Pape Matar Sarr set Johnson on his way before the winger slipped the ball past Dubravka. "We went a goal down and responded well, creating chances. We missed a massive chance on about 58 minutes to get back in it," Burnley manager Scott Parker said. "Then they produce a world-class finish and it took the game away from us." Richarlison looked disappointed at not being given the chance to bag a hat-trick when Frank substituted him, but his replacement Dominic Solanke nearly made it 4-0 when he spun on the spot and fired wide. Kudus received a standing ovation for his two assists and the Spurs fans also showed their support for Mathys Tel, who had been racially abused online after their Super Cup defeat by Paris St Germain on Wednesday. (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris and Ed Osmond)
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Cricket-Former Australia captain and coach Simpson dies at 89
SYDNEY (Reuters) -Former Australia test captain Bob Simpson, who ushered in the country's modern-day golden era of cricket as its coach, has died aged 89, Cricket Australia said on Saturday. Simpson played 62 tests between 1957 and 1978, scoring 4,869 runs, including 10 hundreds, and claimed 71 wickets with his leg spin following his debut on a tour of South Africa. Simpson, one of the greatest slip fielders the game has ever seen, initially retired from the game in 1968 before returning as test captain at the age of 41 after several front-line Australian players had joined the World Series Cricket in 1977. "Bob Simpson was one of the greats of Australian cricket, and this is a sad day for anyone fortunate to have watched him play or who benefited from his wisdom," said Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird. "As a brilliant opening batter, incredible slips fielder and handy spin bowler, Bob was a mainstay of a very strong Australian team in the 1960s, and he became a leader across the game as Australian and New South Wales captain and as a coach." "Bob's decision to come out of retirement to successfully lead the Australian team during the advent of World Series Cricket in 1977 was a wonderful service to the game, and his coaching set the foundation for a golden generation for Australian cricket." As coach, Simpson is credited with instilling discipline in an Australia side led by Allan Border, which went on to win the 1987 World Cup and regained both the Ashes and the Frank Worrell Trophy. Leg-spin great Shane Warne called Simpson the best coach he played under and someone who helped his development. Simpson also coached Lancashire and the Netherlands and worked as a consultant with the Indian team in the late 1990s. "Bob Simpson's extraordinary service to Australian cricket spanned generations," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote on X. "As a player, captain and then era-defining coach, he set the highest of standards for himself and the champions he led. He will be long remembered by the game he loved." (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; Editing by William Mallard)
