Takraw team reshuffled to meet lofty goal

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have reshuffled their team in a bid to win the second leg of the ISTAF SuperSeries, which begins in Bangkok today.

After suffering a shock straight-sets defeat at the hands of South Korea in the final of the first leg inNewDelhilastmonth, theMalaysians are going into the tournament with a practically new line-up.

Captain Norshahruddin Mohd Ghani and Mohd Aizat Nor Azmi are the only ones retained. Vice-captain Farhan Adam, Izurin Refin and Mohd Kamal Alfiza Shafie were dropped and replaced by tekong Sahidan Md Ali, feeder Mohd Syazreen Qamar Salehan and killer Mohd Hanafiah Dolah.

“We’re ready to show our true colours,” said Mohd Aizat. “I was nervous in New Delhi. It was my first appearance in the SuperSeries and the team on a whole made too many unforced errors. We are determined to make amends this time around.”

Malaysia, who are seeded second, are drawn with Germany and Japan in Group B. Top seeds South Korea are in Group A with India and China. Third seeds Indonesia are in Group C with the United States and Singapore while Thailand, seeded fourth, will take on Iran and Brunei in Group D.

If things go according to the form book, Malaysia will meet the Koreans in the semifinals.

In the women’s competition, coach Mohd Fikri Mohd Noor has opted to recall former international Noor Fairuz Azizan to replace injured tekong Siti Norzubaidah Che Abd Wahab.

Malaysia are seeded fourth. They are drawn in Group B with second seeds Indonesia, China and South Korea.

Top seeds Thailand, the first leg winners, are in Group A with third seeds Vietnam, Japan and India.