HANGZHOU: The national men’s sepak takraw squad has confirmed at least a bronze medal in the team regu event after advancing into the semifinals today.
Earlier today, Malaysia easily disposed of South Korea 3-0 in the last Group B match at the Jinhua Sports Centre Gymnasium.
The first regu comprising Farhan Adam, Noraizat Nordin, and Haziq Hairul Nizam delivered the first point after winning 2-0 before the trio of Azlan Alias, Amirul Zazwan Amir, and Syahir Mohd Rosdi triumphed 2-1.
The winning point for the national camp was contributed by Afifuddin Razali, Aidil Aiman Azwawi, and Hairul Hazizi Haidzir after garnering a 2-0 win to ensure Malaysia progressed to the knockout round as group champions.
Malaysia will be meeting Group A runner-up Laos in the semifinals at the same venue tomorrow.
Team manager, Sarifudin Salleh said the achievement saw Malaysia on the right track to meet the target of two medals with at least one gold.
“With the bronze medal in hand, we are on target. All players are in top physical and mental condition for the semifinal.”
“We have not met Laos for a long time and we should be cautious as they defeated Japan (in the group match),” he told Bernama.
In the other semifinal, defending champions Thailand will face South Korea.
For the record, Malaysia won the team regu silver in the 2018 edition in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia.