Takraw boys are second best
FOR the national sepak takraw fraternity, it was a Sea Games silver to cherish, given the ongoing uncertainty and infighting in the sport.
The national sepak takraw squad secured the men’s team runners-up position in Hanoi after edging Vietnam 2-1 at the Hoang Mai Gymnasium yesterday.
The first regu comprising Faisal Fuad, Noraizat Nordin and Norfaizzul Razak put Malaysia on the board with a comprehensive 21-15, 21-6 win over Vietnam’s Dau Van Hoang, Ngo Huy Long and Do Manh Tuan.
Malaysia confirmed the silver when Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican, Afifuddin Razali and Aidil Aiman Azwawi downed Huynh Ngoc Sang, Nguyen Huy Quyen and Tang Minh Khoa 21-17, 21-9 for an unassailable lead.
Vietnam’s third regu of Le Ang Tuan, Vuong Minh Chau and Nguyen Tien Dat, however, gave the hosts a consolation point by defeating Haziq Hairul Nizam, Zulhusni Basri and Redwan Hakim Muhammad 24-25, 21-23.
Noraizat, who filled the killer position in the first regu, was grateful to at least secure a silver from the competition.
“I did not feel any pressure playing against Vietnam today (yesterday). I just told myself to enjoy the game and do the best,” said Noraizat.
“I also reminded my teammates to just play their best and not feel nervous.
“This is a meaningful silver for us as we had all missed the Hari
Raya celebrations and were away from our families as we were in a training camp before we came here. “We still have the inter-regu competition coming up, and the goal is to play even better in that event.”
Malaysia had lost 3-0 to juggernauts Thailand in their opening game in the league format competition on Friday.
As expected, Thailand claimed the gold medal while Vietnam and Cambodia finished as joint bronze medallists. The inter-regu event begins today.
The sport has been under a cloud over the past year following the Sepak Takraw Association of Malaysia’s (STAM) expulsion from the Asian Sepak Takraw Federation (Astaf) and subsequently the International Sepak Takraw Federation (Istaf ).
The emergence of a new national body, Malaysia Sepak Takraw Confederation (MSC), who have been accepted by Astaf and Istaf, has further complicated the situation, as there are now two national bodies in the country.
The sepak takraw squad are competing in Hanoi under the Olympic Council of Malaysia banner instead of STAM.