KUALA LUMPUR: National sepak takraw coach Ahmad Jais Baharun apologised for failing to clinch the team title at the Sepak Takraw World Cup after Malaysia went down 1-2 to Thailand in the final at the Titiwangsa Stadium, here yesterday.
Ahmad Jais said Thailand were fully equipped in every aspect of the game compared with the team under his charge, thus Malaysia’s drought in the team event is set to continue beyond 33 years.
The last time Malaysia emerged as the team event champion was during the 1991 Manila SEA Games hosted by the Philippines and since then, Thailand had dominated the event at all stages.
“On behalf of the national team, I wish to apologise to all sepaktakraw fans for failing to end Thailand’s domination. Personally I saw a number of elements lacking, especially in the second and third regu which resulted in our failure.
“We must understand that there are no easy passges to success. We failed to provide the right kind of opposition to Thailand and we lost,” he said when met after the match, here yesterday.
The former National server (tekong) however, urged his charges to not be dishearthened by the loss but instead continue to progress and believe in themselves to rectify their weaknesses and move forward in search of an avenue to overcome their opponents.
Malaysia will have another major opportunity to avenge today’s defeat when Thailand host the Thailand King’s Cup in Bangkok, Thailand come September, regarded as one of the most prestigious sepak takraw events, especially for the Thais.
In yesterday’s final, Malaysia’s top regu comprising Farhan Adam (feeder), Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (server) and Mohamad Azlan Alias (killer) easily overcame their opponents 9-15, 15-11, 15-13 to give Malaysia a flying start.
However, Thailand managed to level the tie when Zazwan Amir, Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam and Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin lost their encounter 8-15, 5-15 in straight sets.
Thailand went on to snatch the winning point and lift the fourth edition of the World Cup with a 15-12, 15-12 straight sets win over the Malaysian regu. — BERNAMA
