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Bernama-14 Dec 2006 -Malaysia Settle For Bronze In Takraw Doubles

A lapse in concentration cost the Malaysian doubles sepaktakraw team a place in the final when Myanmar came from behind to inflict a 2-1 loss in their semi-final match at the Al Sadd hall here Wednesday.

Mohamed Saufi Salleh and Mohd Azman Nasruddin were leading 12-11 in the third and deciding set but eventually bowed out 15-12 to settle for the bronze.

The duo who lost the first set 16-21 came back strongly to take the second 25-23 and force the game into a deciding set which was held over 15 points.

National coach Idris Abdul Karim said the team lost because the players lost their focus at the crucial moment.

"Our players lost focus and made silly mistakes when leading in the third set," he said.

The gold medal in the event was won by Thailand who beat Myanmar 21-17, 21-15 in the final.

Malaysia and Indonesia were awarded bronze medals as losing semi-finalists.

Doha Asian Games News - 11 Dec 2006 -Vietnam’s women top China

With the medals in the team and regu sepaktakraw events decided, the third and final event in the competition – the double event – made its Asian Games debut at the Al-Sadd Sports Club on Monday, 11 December.

Eighteen preliminary rounds will be played and the evidence from the first six matches this morning indicates the level and intensity of competition will make for some superb action matches.

The best match of the morning featured, in the women’s, Vietnam playing China in group X at 10:00. With Luu Thi Thanh and Sun Xiaodan of China on opposing sides, this match was a great contest between two of the game's best attacking players.

Vietnam came out confidently from the off, but were taken by surprise by the intensity of China’s serving, and lost the first round 20–22. They recovered rapidly, however, taking the second set 21–15 and the third 16–14 to win the match 2–1.

The other women’s match of the morning featured a predictable win by the masters of the sepaktakraw universe, Thailand, who beat the Philippines 2–0.

In the men’s, Malaysia squared off against Thailand in group B. Any match between these two traditional rivals is a mini-classic, and it featured one of the games brightest young talents - Mohamed Saufi Salleh of Malaysia. But for all his talent, Salleh was unable to lift a listless side, and the Malaysian’s lost 2–0.
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Later this afternoon, the top men’s match will be Indonesia v IR Iran in Group A at 15

Doha Asian Games News - 11 Dec 2006 -No surprises at afternoon doubles

Thailand won a tough sepaktakraw match with Korea winning in three sets

There was an intense action-packed match between Korea and Thailand with the best of the net on the defensive as Korea threatened to beat them, while Indonesia’s men played against IR Iran in one of the highlights of the spiking sepaktakraw action. It was expected to be a tough match for the Indonesians, but in the event they confidently saw off IR Iran 2–0, 21–9, 21–15, in the first of six this afternoon.

Korea faced the daunting task of staring down Thailand, unchallenged masters of the sepaktakraw universe. They failed, but to their very great credit they didn’t fail by much. The first set was close, with Korea coming within a shout of winning, 21–18. The second set was equally hard fought, with Korea even taking the lead 15–13 halfway through the second set, going to 20–17 and finally winning the set17–21, a remarkable result.

In the third set Thailand settled, but could not shake free of Korea, who persistently levelled the score, until finally, at 14 apiece, Thailand quickly scored two points, taking the third set 17–15. Korea can with some justice feel that this was the match that just got away from them.

In the third match, Myanmar’s men defeated Japan after a close game. Over the course of two sets there was just five points in it, the first set going to 19–21 and the second to 18–21.

The Japanese women had little difficulty with the Indians, dispatching them in two rapids sets 21–10, 21–9, but given the Indian men are among the weakest in the tournament, their demise comes as no surprise and Japan would be wrong to draw too much comfort from the result.

In the second women’s match the Philippines had a very slightly tougher challenge against the Indian men, though they too took the match in straight sets, 21–15, 21–15. The game just lasted 30 minutes.

Myanmar’s women were also in action this afternoon against Korea, and the pocket sepak powerhouse, who established their credentials at Doha 2006, had no trouble seeing off the Koreans 2–0, 21–10, 21–14.

Doha Asian Games News - 11 Dec 2006 -Doubles spell more trouble for Malaysia

Malaysia’s torment at the hands of Thailand continued as the men’s sepaktakraw doubles took to the floor. Malaysia went down 2-0 to Thailand having already lost to the Thais in the final of the team event and the regu final at Doha 2006.

Mohd Azman Nasruddin and Mohamed Saufi Salleh were out-gunned by Thailand’s Rawat Parbchompoo and Purich Pansira. It has been the same story throughout the last ten days.

In their other match on the opening day of the doubles Malaysia beat India but they trail Thailand and Philippines in the group B table.

Thailand, surprisingly, dropped a set against Korea but still came through to win 21-18, 17-21, 17-15. It was a double whammy for unfancied Korea who had gone down to the Philippines in the first match of the day, again losing in a deciding set.

Philippines matched Thailand’s two victories on the opening day of the doubles and the two teams sit at the top of group B with 4 points. They play each other in their first match of two on Tuesday 12 December which will give Malaysia or even Korea the chance to catch up and try to take second place in the group. Malaysia face Korea in a must win contest for both teams at 09:00 on Tuesday.

Malaysia’s other match on Tuesday is against Philippines which is likely to determine who moves through to the last four with heavyweights Thailand.

Group A has Indonesia and Malaysia at the top with a 100 percent record of two wins from two, Vietnam had the misfortune to meet them both on the opening day of the doubles and lost both games.

However, Vietnam’s women, who have lit up the 15th Asian Games sepaktakraw so far are top of their group (X) with four points. Meanwhile, Thailand, the regu champions, were surprise losers to China and face a battle to qualify for the semifinals.

Myanmar and Japan both have two wins out of two in group Y.

Bernama - 11 Dec 2006 -Malaysia Fail To Break Thai Dominance

Malaysia once again had to play second fiddle to the mighty Thais in the 15th Asian Games after losing the inter-regu final in straight games here Sunday.

Malaysia who lined up the same members of the regu who had won the gold at the Manila SEA Games last December - Mohd Normanizam Ahmad (tekong), Mohd Futra Abd Ghani (feeder) and Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif (killer) - however lost 19-21, 20-22 in straight sets.

Thailand, fielding Panomporn Aiemsaard (tekong), Singha Somsakul (killer) and Somporn Jaisinghol (feeder) who were part of the team that beat Malaysia 2-0 to win the team gold were clearly in their element.

The Thais stamped their class early in the first game and took a 4-0 lead but the Malaysian trio put up a fight and levelled the score at 17-17 but later conceded the game 19-21.

Malaysia pulled up their socks and raced into a 8-6 and 14-10 lead in the second game but the Thais fought back to level the score twice at 15-15 and 19-19 before a misqued serve by Mohd Normanizam allowed the Thais to pull away for the victory.

At the last Asian Games in Busan four years ago, Malaysia finished with a bronze in the same event and though the sepaktakraw association had been confident of winning at least a gold here, had to be contended with two silvers.

Malaysia's two-gold feat at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games remains the country's best achievement in the Games history.

The Malaysian regu made it to the final after beating Indonesia 21-18, 21-19 while Thailand overcame Myanmar 21-14, 21-7 in the other semi-final.

Doha Asian Games News - 10 Dec 2006 -Two gold for Thais?

Pornchai Kaokaew of Thailand celebrates with teammate Suebsak Phunsueb as they brush aside Myanmar 2-0 in men's sepaktakraw.

This will be a double Thailand sepatakraw  final in the women’s and men’s regu matches this afternoon after both teams got quickly through their semifinal matches this morning. In both matches Thailand dismissed their opponents with an abrupt 2–0 victory.

Thailand had an easy romp through their second sepaktakraw regu semifinal match beating plucky, but underpowered Myanmar in straight sets.

Thailand quickly took the first set 21–14 and the second set 21–7, coincidentally giving the men the exact same score as the women in their semifinal against China: 42–21.

Then it was the women's turn to beat China with dispatch, wiping out one of the strongest sepaktakraw teams in the tournament in two quick sets, 21–11, 21–10, to give the Thais double the score of their hapless opponents. The Thai women will face the Vietnamese after the latter's victory over Myanmar.

The second men’s semifinal featured another giant of the sepaktakraw scene, Malaysia, who had a close match with dogged Indonesia, but nonetheless managed to take the semi in two straight sets.

Toe-to-toe, the first set opened, with Indonesia going with the favourites, exchanging point-for-point, play-by-play, and ending just ahead at 21–18.

The second set was even more closely contended, but Indonesia couldn’t make up for an early lead established by the Malaysians, ultimately losing the set 21–19 for a respectable, but disappointing 42–37.

Their win against Indonesia means that both finals this evening will feature a clash of titans: Thailand v Malaysia in the men’s, Thailand v Vietnam in the women’s.

Bernama - 7 Dec 2006 -Thais Teach Malaysians A Lesson In Sepaktakraw

Thailand showed that Malaysia still need to learn a lesson or two in the sport of sepaktakraw after powering their way to the men's team gold with an easy 2-0 win at the Al-Saad Indoor Hall here Wednesday.

So overwhelming was the display of the Thais that they did not have to call upon their third regu, to clinch the gold, as they wrapped up the first two regus with consummate ease.

Having lost the inter-regu gold at the Manila SEA Games last December, the Thais seemed to have gone into a soul-searching mission and emerged with the right formula while the Malaysians may have been resting on their laurels, if their performance Wednesday was used as a gauge.

Malaysia's first regu comprising Mohd Normanizam Ahmad, Zulhafizazudin Rosslan and Mohd Futura Abd Ghani were simply no match to the all-round strength of the Thai trio - Singha Somsakul, Panomporn Aiemsaard, Somporn Jaisinghol - who won 21-15, 21-15.

Their "killer" Somsakul especially was in superb form with his well executed overhead kicks and stout defending.

Despite the presence of a strong Malaysian crowd on the stands, Malaysia's second regu - Mohd Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif, Sulaiman Salleh and Mohd Azlan Abdul Mubin failed to raise their game and lost 20-22, 12-21 in straight games.

Thailand's second regu, powered by Suebsak Phunsueb, a formidable "tekong" and supported by Suriyan Peachan and Pornchai Kaokaew, were simply in a class of their own.

Malaysian head coach Jamaluddin Hassan said his boys did not play their normal match Wednesday and made many mistakes.

"Maybe they had peaked during their semi-final match against Indonesia Tuesday," he said after the match here Wednesday.

When sepaktakraw was first introduced at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, Malaysia took the team and inter-regu gold and again won the team gold in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.

However, the gold medals dried up since, as Thailand started their dominance in the sport with consecutive wins at the Bangkok (1998) and Busan (2002) Asian Games before completing their hat-trick here.

Doha Asian Games News - 7 Dec 2006 -Thai men win third straight title

Singha Somsakul of Thailand spikes the ball on the way to Thailand's third succsessive gold in the men's sepaktakraw

Having won golds in 1998 and 2002, Thailand became the first country to win three successive gold medals in the Asian Games sepaktakraw team events after beating Malaysia 2–0 in the men’s sepaktakraw team final at Al-Sadd Sports Club.

Malaysia have now in turn finished runners-up in this event at the last three finals, including today’s contest, and couldn’t put the Thai’s off their game despite constantly glaring and gesturing at their traditional rivals during the match.

The contest started off with the introduction of Thailand’s Panomporn Aiemsa Ard, substituting Rangsirod Sirisamutsarn ahead of the first regu, and the big No 3’s introduction paid off handsomely as he claimed most points in the first set with his powerful and consistent horse-serves that led to a 21–15 win.

Malaysia’s Mohd Normanizam Ahmad did manage to score a few points with his prolific serve, but was not on par with the brilliance of Aiemsa Ard. And when the intensity of the game got the better of Thailand’s Singha Somsakul – the lanky striker landed awkwardly following a spike attempt midway through the second set of the first regu – Thailand’s trio went on to cap off a solid performance with a 21–15 win in the second set for a 1–0 lead.

Suebsak Phunsueb of Thailand was surprisingly introduced in the second regu early on, replacing tekong Terdsak Pilae as Thailand looked to settle the final with two regu wins.

Sulaiman Salleh, Mohd Azlan Abd Mubin and Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif were unable to lead a Malaysian recovery as Phunsueb, Suriyan Peachan and Pornchai Kaokaew rallied to a 22–20 win in the first set of the second regu.

Kaokaew’s flawless spiking, as well Phunsuebs exceptional serving prowess, were influential in Thailand’s second regu’s first set win, and the Thai trio secured a 21–12 win in the second set of the second regu to record the team’s third straight gold medal in the event.

Speaking after the match, Thailand’s Phunsueb mapped out how his team secured victory and urged for more support to make sepaktakraw a global sport. “We had studied the Malaysian team – how they served, their spikes, and we used this information to prepare for the final. We won’t be celebrating just yet because we still have a lot of work to do to prepare for the regu and double events.

“We already have the King’s Cup tournament in Thailand where we welcome any country that wants to play and improve, but we also need more support. For example, we need support to put the games on TV. Maybe that will make it more attractive to the world.”

Doha Asian Games News - 7 Dec 2006 -Joyful scenes as Vietnam women take sepak gold

Vietnam rumbled Thailand in an epic women’s sepaktakraw final to win the country’s first gold medal of the Games.

They took the match in a deciding tie-break 15-11, to win 2 regus to 1. The Vietnamese were crying tears of delight as they won gold, the whole team rushing onto the court to congratulate Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Nguyen Thinh Thu Ba and Nguyen Bach Van who won the deciding regu.

Played in front of a raucous crowd, the match was one of the best events and spectacles at Doha 2006 so far.

Vietnam almost blew it right at the end. They led 12-4 in the tie-break but allowed the Thais to win six points in a row and move to within two. However, they held their nerve to claim the title amid tumultuous scenes.

The score in the deciding regu was 12-21, 21-15, 15-11 as Vietnam came from behind to be crowned champions in a rollercoaster tie. Their coach Ha Tung Lap yelled encouragement from the sidelines throughout the match and especially in the deciding regu. Ha appeared to be more nervous than the players.

On gold medal point he ran across the court like a madman. “I am totally breathless! I dedicate this win to the people of Vietnam, the sepaktakraw committee and the sponsors for our team,” he said afterwards clutching a Vietnam flag.

“The girls do have a big heart. The Vietnamese star on our bandanas represents how much we love our country,” Ha said proudly.

The Vietnamese players were going crazy after every point they won, pumping their fists and shouting to their supporters, but Thailand had many of their own fans in the stands. Men wearing red and blue, the colours of Thailand, banged drums and blew whistles as the final swung this way and that. It created one of the best atmospheres at any venue during Doha 2006 so far and it was impossible to predict who would win.

Vietnam started the match as underdogs but fought for every point and took the opening regu in a tie-break.

It was an explosive start and the tempo continued throughout the enthralling contest. Early on Vietnam looked like they would be outclassed as their first trio lost the opening set but Luu Thi Thanh, Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy and Nguyen Hai Thao came from behind to win and put the team in yellow one-up.

Speaking afterwards Luu Thi Thanh said she was always confident. "The first regu was our strongest and we won that regu. I was confident that our third regu would win the decider," she said.

Thailand restored order by levelling the final at 1-1. Areeat Takan, Tidawan Daosakul and Phutsadi Suancharun. Daosakul was particularly athletic with some spectacular overhead spikes. It was fitting that she got the match point in the second regu with a trademark block with her back. The Thais won the second regu 21-12, 21-15.

It appeared that Thailand would seize the initiative and take it into the last regu but Vietnam regrouped and powered through to win as Thailand flailed.

Doha Asian Games News - 6 Dec 2006 -Thailand expects in sepaktakraw

Thailand are aiming to do the men and women’s golden double in sepaktakraw.

The men’s final will be the main event. Malaysia are hoping to end Thailand’s 12-year domination of sepaktakraw team gold in the Asian Games. The teams are fierce rivals in the sport and it is sure to be a terrific contest.

Either Thailand or Malaysia, who start as slight underdogs, can win the event for the third time. Malaysia won in 1990 and 1994, while Thailand won the next two in 1998 and 2002. Thailand, therefore, are in line for their third consecutive gold medal in the event at the Asian Games.

Malaysia booked their place in the final via a 3-0 win over Indonesia in the semifinals. They are the second most successful country and region in terms of number of gold medals won in the sepaktakraw event at the Asian Games. They have won a total of eight medals, three of them gold.

Thailand beat Myanmar in their semifinal. Their tekong Ahmad Mohd Normanizam was criticised by coach Hassan Jamaluddin for his inconsistent serves in the first two preliminary round matches against India and Japan but appeared to have finally found his range in the match against Myanmar.

Much was expected from Thailand’s women as well before the competition began and they are living up to their billing. They will take on surprise package Vietnam, who beat Korea 3-0 in their semifinal.

Thailand had a tougher assignment in their last-four game but they booked their place in the final with a 2-1 win over China, and although they lost one regu they seemed to have the greater depth to their squad. However, it was still the first regu Thailand have dropped in the competition so far.

Like their male counterparts the Thai women are looking to make it three in a row at the Asian Games after making off with the team title in 1998 and 2002.

Outsiders Vietnam haven’t beaten Thailand since 2000 but won the silver medal in the women's team event at the last Asian Games in Busan to add to the bronze medal they won at the 1998 Games in Bangkok. They were runners-up to the Thais at the 2005 World Championships in Bangkok and the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.

The final also pits a pair of dynamic strikers in Pinporn Klongbung Kkar from Thailand and Le Thi Hanh of Vietnam against each other.

Doha Asian Games News- 6 Dec 2006 -Clash of the titans

Malaysia will face traditional sepaktakraw arch-rivals Thailand in the men's team final while the Thai women’s team will face Vietnam. Both Thai teams will start as overwhelming favourites to win the gold at Al-Sadd Sports Club on 6 December.

In many ways, this is the ideal men’s final draw, a true clash of the titans. Thailand effortlessly swept away Myanmar 3–0 in the semifinals to record a third consecutive appearance in the Asian Games final. Thailand are the most successful NOC in the sepaktakraw event at the Games. They have won a total of 15 medals, 10 of them gold.

Their form in the run-up to the finals is excellent, too. In addition to the Myanmar walkover, the Thai team scored 3–0 wins over Korea and Indonesia. They have yet to lose a regu in the competition.

Malaysia are the second most successful NOC – in terms of the numbers of gold medals – out of eight medals won, three of them gold. Mohd Mormanizam Ahmad of Malaysia has been the focal point of the country’s dominance in the competition so far.

This will be the fifth consecutive time both sides will face each other in the Asian Games men’s team sepaktakraw final. Both teams are looking to secure a third gold, which makes this something of a tie-breaker, and both teams have the chance to record a perfect tournament if they win by a 3–0 scoreline, an unlikely result given that these truly are sepaktakraw’s titans.

Bernama - 6 Dec 2006 -M'sia Face Arch-rival Thailand For Sepaktakraw Gold

Malaysia set up an enticing clash against arch-rival Thailand for the sepaktakraw team gold after beating Indonesia 3-0 in their semi-final match at the A-Sadd Indoor Arena here Tuesday.

In the other semi-final, Thailand, as expected whipped Myanmar 3-0 to make the final.

The clash Wednesday will be a repeat of the 2002 Busan Asian Games final which saw the Thais take gold.

Malaysia who last won a gold in the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games will be hoping to avenge the Busan defeat while the Thais who lost some pride after losing the inter-regu gold to Malaysia at the 2005 Manila SEA Games will also be eager to wipe out that memory.

In the first regu, Sulaiman Salleh, Mohd Azlan Abdul Mubin and Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif hardly put a foot wrong as they walked out with a 21-9, 21-11 win over Suko Hartono, Triaji and Nurkholis.

On came Mohd Normanizam Ahmad, Mohd Futra Abd Ghani and Zulhafizazudin Rosslan to secure the second game with a 21-16, 21-16 win over Yudi Purnomo, Wisnu Suhantoro and Husni Uba to give Malaysia a comfortable 2-0 lead.

Though the outcome had already been decided by then, the third regu comprising Mohd Saifudin Hussin, Mohd Azman Nasruddin and Rukman Mustapha did not let up in their assault by completing the rout with a 21-17, 21-13 win over Muhammad Nasrum, Jusri Pakke and Edy Suwarno.

In Busan, Malaysia won a silver in the team and a bronze from inter-regu but have targetted a gold here.

Bernama - 4 Dec 2006 - M'sia Face Indonesia In The Semi-Finals

Malaysia will meet Indonesia in the semi-finals of the sepak takraw group event in the 15th Asian Games, after crushing Myanmar 3-0, at the Al-Sadd Hall, here Monday.

The win placed Malaysia as champion of Group B, while the group's runner-up Myanmar will have to compete with Thailand who are the Group A leader.

The semi-finals for the event will be held at 3.00 pm, Tuesday (8.00 pm Malaysian time).

In Monday's match, the national first regu comprising Zulhafizazudin Rosslan, Mohd Normanizam Ahmad and Mohd Futra Abdul Ghani defeated the Myanmar trio in straight sets, 21-6, 21-17.

The combination of Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif, Sulaiman Salleh and Mohd Azlan Abdul Mubin sealed Malaysia's victory when they outclassed their opponents from Myanmar, 21-10, 21-18.

The country's third regu of Mohamed Saufi Salleh, Mohd Saifudin Hussin and Mohd Azman Nasruddin however had to struggle into a third set before winning 21-9, 19-21, 15-8.

When met by reporters later, the sepak takraw national coach Jamaluddin Hassan said after three matches at the group stage, his teams were showing improvements particularly when serving the ball.

"Their spikes and blockings bore results and I hope they will continue with these game combinations when playing against Indonesia.

"There are several things that need to be improved, and they should not give easy points to the opponents," he said.

Jamaluddin also said he would watch videos on the matches between Thailand and Indonesia before deciding on the national squad line-up for Tuesday.

In Monday's match, Indonesia lost to Thailand 0-3.

He said Malaysia had a great opportunity to defeat Indonesia but the players must be reminded that a silly mistake could be costly. "We have a 60-40 chance. We lost to Indonesia 1-2 during the Thai King's Cup last September in Bangkok, but we did not field all our players then. However, we must be cautious, as the Indonesian players have shown improvements in their game," he said.

Doha Asian Games News- 3 Dec 2006 -Sepaktakraw favourites on form

Hyun-Jin-Joo-korea in action for Korea as they go down to Thailand 3-0, who will now face Malaysia in the final .

Rivals Thailand and Malaysia start as favourites for the gold medal in the team event of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 sepaktakraw competition.

Malaysia and Myanmar both easily won their first preliminary matches on the 2 December, with Thailand playing its first match today, 3 December.
The preliminaries today and yesterday reveal that the Thai and Malaysian  reputations are well-founded, with Myanmar also showing good form.

Thailand trounced Korea in straight sets, mirroring the achievement set by their women players on the 2 December. The final score in the  match was 3-0, all three regus taken with ease. (2:0/2:0/2:0) The points tally was 126:74. The Malaysian men’s team achieved an equally respectable result beating Japan by 0–3 (2:0/2:0/2:0) with the points tally at 126: 77.

The Malaysian tekong, Mohd Normanizam Ahmad, speaking about the match said, “I feel that we did a better job today, compared to the first game yesterday. The nerves are settling in well and we are growing in confidence by the day”.

In the other match of the day, dark horses Myanmar were also clearly superior to their rivals India, again with a 3–0 score line in straight sets , as with their previous day’s action against Japan. (2:0/2:0/2:0) Points tally was 129:65.

Myanmar’s coach Kyaw Zin Moe commented after the victory,  "We were 100 percent sure we were going to win the match today against India. In the end it was a very easy victory.

"Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are strong teams, but our target is to at least reach the final." he added

In the women’s team preliminaries which followed shortly after the men’s events, Thailand continued their dominant ways, thrashing India in straight sets as they did to Korea the previously day. Final score 3–0 Regus (2:0/2:0/2:0) Total points 126:24.

Thai coach Chucheep Kongmeechon, when asked who he thought would be Thailand’s biggest challengers for the gold medal stated, “Vietnam and China are both good teams and I believe they will be our strongest competition.”

In the other match of the day, between these two top teams, things were not so decisive, with China taking the first set 0–2, Vietnam battling back to take the second 2–1 and the final eventually going Vietnam’s way, taking the set 2–0. Final score 2–1 to Vietnam. Regus (0:2/2:1/2:0) Total points 135:103.

Bernama 3 Dec 2006 -M'sia Advance To Semifinals After Burying Japan

Malaysia confirmed their place in the semifinal of the sepak takraw team event in the Asian Games after burying Japan 3-0 at the Al-Sadd Indoor Stadium here Sunday.

Malaysia's first regu of Sulaiman Salleh, Mohd Azlan Abdul Mubin and Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif started off nicely beating the Japanese trio 21-16, 21-13.

Mohd Normanizam Ahmad, Mohd Futra Abdul Ghani and Zulhafizazudin Rosslan then made it two-in-a-row when they beat their opponents 21-14, 21-8.

The trio of Mohd Saifudin Hussin, Mohd Azman Nasruddin and Mohamed Saufi Salleh completed the rout winning in 21-14, 21-12.

Malaysia will meet Myanmar in their final match in the group qualifying stage to determine who tops Group B.

Yesterday, Malaysia despatched India 3-0. Defending champions Thailand are in Group A together Indonesia, Vietnam and South Korea.

Bernama - 2 Dec 2006 -Malaysia Coast To 3-0 Win Over India

Malaysia opened its sepak takraw team challenge with an easy 3-0 win over India at the 15th Asiad at the Al-Saad indoor hall here Saturday.

The squad, under head coach Jamaluddin Hassan, was no match for India and took less than one hour to seal the win.

Malaysia are in group B with Japan, Myanmar and India while defending champions Thailand are in group A with Vietnam, Indonesia and South Korea.

Bernama -1 Dec 2006 -Nothing Less Than Gold For Sepak Takraw Team

The Malaysian sepak takraw squad is all primed for Asian Games glory when the event starts on Sunday and will settle for nothing less than gold.

Team captain Zulkarnain Arif said the squad's members were at the peak level to repeat their performance at the Manila Sea Games last year where they won the gold.

"We were one of the earliest teams among the nations competing to arrive in Doha (on Nov 18) and the players have acclimatised themselves to the conditions here.

"In fact, we have been the only team to have trained at the competition venue, which should give us a slight edge when the event gets underway on Sunday," he said when met here today.

In the team event, which opens the sepak takraw competition, Malaysia are drawn in Group A together with India, Japan and Myanmar.

The last time the squad won a gold medal in the Asian Games was in 1994 in Hiroshima.

Bernama - 29 Nov 2006 -Thailand Aims For Four Gold From Sepak Takraw In Doha

Despite winning 10 gold medals in the last two Asian Games, powerhouse Thailand is wary of the threat posed by SEA Games champion Malaysia and newcomer Myanmar when the Doha Asiad sepak takraw event gets underway this Saturday.

Team manager, Thawat Kumutphongpanit said Thais were confident of winning at least four gold this time from the men's and women's team and regu events but not the doubles.

"Our players have been training hard for the past five months. We are in good shape now, our players very experienced but we cannot take other teams lightly, especially Malaysia and Myanmar," he said in an interview here.

Since the event was introduced in the 1990 Asian Games, Thailand had maintained its supremacy but Malaysia's victory in the 2005 SEA Games which helped them to end a 12-year drought stunned the Thais.

"In the SEA Games, we missed three gold medals but we are confident of doing better in Doha. If we lose, it will be hard to accept," said Thawat.

Thailand's confidence also rose after winning all the six gold medals at stake in the King's Cup World Sepak Takraw Championships two months ago.

Asked if the new rule on service would affect their game, he said it would not add any advantage as all the teams would have to adjust to it.

Under the new rule, players will be allowed to step on the circle line while serving.

The 15-member team had been training in Suphanburi under veteran coach Kamol Tunkimhong.

Besides arch-rival Malaysia and Myanmar, the Thais are also watching closely Indonesia which is coached by former Thai player Somkiat Sungsathitanont.

In the men's team event, Thailand is drawn in Group A with South Korea and Indonesia while Malaysia plays in Group B with Burma, India and Japan.

Bernama - 20 Nov 2006 -Khir A Sepak Takraw Father Figure

"I lost a father, a sepak takraw father," said Brig Gen Datuk Husainay Hashim, referring to Tan Sri Mohamed Khir Johari, who died this morning of suspected heart failure.

The Umno executive secretary said that the sepak takraw father title was given to him because of his continuous contributions to popularise the sport to the point where the most prestigious championship in the sport was called the Khir Johari Golden Trophy, which was introduced in 1963.

"I was also not exempted. I competed for the trophy," said Husainay, who was then studying at the Sultan Abdul Hamid College, Alor Setar, Kedah, and an active sepak takraw player in 1964.

Khir Johari was the the first president of the Malaysian Sepak Raga Jaring in 1961, which later became known as the Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association.

Husainay said during that time, every player considered Khir Johari as the sepak raga father (before it was officially changed to sepak takraw in 1965) for motivating the young players to be the best at what they did.

He said that Khir Johari was a man who was passionate about the country's progress in sports like badminton and sepak takraw.

Khir Johari was active in sports, holding numerous key positions like Badminton Association of Malaysia President (1968-Aug, 1985); and Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association President (1985-June, 1993).

"During his era, our sepak takraw was strong. We were champions in the Sepak Takraw South East Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games (now known as SEA Games) in 1965," Husainay said. At that time, Husainay represented the country playing in the "killer" position while his feeder was Amir and Abdul Rahman Md Isa was the tekong in the team.

"He was the pioneer of the country's sepak takraw. The loss will be missed particularly from old-time players like us," he said.

Khir Johari, who also had held several key positions in politics including Umno secretary-general and was among the longest serving cabinet ministers since 1950's until he retired in 1983, was given a state funeral at the Heroes' Mausoleum here at 7 pm Sunday.

Meanwhile, his former political secretary, Hussien Manjoor Shah, who had served under him for 17 years, said Khir Johari was a nationalist who was loved by all regardless of status or age.

His old friend, Datuk Murad Hasyim said that Khir Johari was known for his low profile apart from his passion for new reading materials and knowledge.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid said his struggles should not be taken lightly, and he was impressed with the Umno veteran's determination in his committments.

Former Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Abdul Majid Ismail, who was a close friend of Khir Johari, said he had known him since the 1940's and they both had studied together at the Singapore Medical College.

"He was a fun guy, jolly and always jovial," he said.

Asked what was Khir Johari's motto in life, Abdul Majid said Khir Johari always said, "Love your country."

Bernama - 30 Oct 2006 -Move To Revive Sepaktakraw Competition For Primary Schools

The Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) will revive the national sepaktakraw competition for primary schools to seek new and young talents in the sport.

PSM secretary-general Arshad Yahya said the competition, organised by the PSM with the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM), was discontinued several years ago.

"PSM hopes to revive the competition and organise it more systematically to seek out the new talents to enable Malaysia to keep shining in the sport at the international level," he told Bernama.

Arshad said the country needed strong second echelon players to maintain their strength, particularly when facing arch-rival Thailand who are never short of excellent players.

He said that though Malaysia beat Thailand 2-0 in the regu event of the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines, it was not enough to ensure their dominance in the sport.

On the preparations of the sepaktakraw players for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, from Dec 1 to 15, he said 21 players were undergoing training in Langkawi from Oct 27 to Nov 12.

He said the national team would play several friendlies with outstanding club teams in Thailand as part of the preparations.

Bernama - 27 Oct 2006 -Sepaktakraw Team Still Wants To Train In Doha

The Malaysian Sepaktakraw Association (PSM) is still hopeful that the National Sport Council (MSN) will allow the national sepaktakraw team to train in Doha, Qatar.

PSM secretary-general Arshad Yahya said the national team needed to get acclimatised to the place before the Asian Games in Doha on Dec 1-15.

"PSM has applied to the Doha Games organising committee for the national team to train in the actual courts that will be used during the Doha Games. We are waiting for their reply," he said in an interview here.

MSN had rejected PSM's request for the national team to train in Doha, saying that such training must get the approval of the Games organising committee.

The association had wanted to send the players to Doha on Nov 18.

The sepaktakraw national team is targeting at least one gold medal from Doha. The last time they won a gold medal was at the Hiroshima Asian Games in 1994.

Bernama - 25 Aug 2006 -M'sia Go Down Fighting To Thais

Malaysia went down fighting to the Thais in the regu final of the Malaysian Sepak Takraw World Cup here Friday.

Thailand who fielded their Asian Games squad beat Malaysia's A team 2-1 (18-21,22-16,15-7) in the match.

Malaysia A's trio of Sulaiman Salleh, Mohamad Azlan Abdul Mubin and Zulhafizazudin Roslan initially took the fight to the Thais but despite putting up an impressive performance had to bow out to the visitors.

"We proved a point today but it cannot be denied the Thais deserved the win. However, we still have a chance in the team event which begins tomorrow," national coach Jamaluddin Hassan told Bernama after the match.

The Thai squad, which was represented by Nipat Wongprasat, Rungsiroj Sirusamut and Anwat Chaicitana, had earlier beaten Indonesia 2-0 (21-14,21-16) enroute to the final while the Malaysia A team beat compatriots Malaysia B 2-0 (21-19,21-16).

The Star -24 Aug 2006 -Promote sepak takraw to the world, urges Najib

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak urged sports bodies to promote sepak takraw at the international level just like the South Koreans did with taekwando. 

The Deputy Prime Minister said sepak takraw should be promoted as it was the only sports that originated from the country. 

Najib, chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Sports, said the committee would meet next month to work out new ways to develop sepak takraw. 

“If taekwando can be associated with South Korea, then when sepak takraw becomes a world sport, it will automatically be identified with Malaysia and this part of the world,” he said at the launchof the World Sepak takraw Championship – 2nd Malaysia Cup here last night.  

Najib said Penang could become the tuan rumah (host) for the sport once its plan to set up a sepak takraw academy materialises.  

Although there were now 46 sepak takraw associations in the world, he said, the sport had yet to be recognised at the Commonwealth and Olympic games. 

The World Sepak takraw Championship is being held here from Aug 23 to 30, with 11 countries – Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, Philippine, Vietnam, Brunei and Pakistan – taking part.  

Bernama - 20 Feb 2006 -Seven Sepak Takraw Players Yet To Report For Central Training

The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Association (PSM) is disappointed with employers who have not released seven national sepak takraw players for central training in preparation for the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.

The players are Rukman Mustapha, Mohd Saifuddin Hussin, Mohd Fadley Mohamed, Khairul Ismail, Mohamad Zulkarnain Mohamed Ariff, Noor Azman Abdul Hamid and Zulhafizazuddin Hassan.

PSM coaching chairman Tengku Adnan Tengku Burhanuddin said all players should report for central training on Jan 15 but to date, only nine had done so.

"They need to report by March at the latest to prepare for the very important games to raise the country's image," he told Bernama.

He said most of the missing players were government servants and a number of employers had said that they needed to get written consent from the Chief Secretary to the Government to release their staff.

"PSM will not keep quiet and if necessary, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said's intervention will be sought," Tengku Adnan said.

He said the employers should be open in the matter because the players would represent the country for the very important event.

"They need to undergo central training to get fit in several months besides having to compete in seven international tournaments before going to Doha in December," he said.

He said the PSM had targeted a gold in the games.

In the Manila Sea Games last year, the national team defeated strong contender Thailand for the gold.

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