INCHEON: Thailand have always been cocky when it comes to sepaktakraw.
After all, they are the rulers of the world in the sport. And they have taunted the Malaysian team, saying there’s no way they are going to lose when they meet in today’s team semi-final at the Bucheon Gymnasium.
The Thais have won the last four golds – starting in 1998 when they hosted the Asiad. On all four occasions, they defeated Malaysia in the finals. Malaysia have only won the gold once – in Beijing in 1990. There was no sepaktakraw team event in Hiroshima in 1994.
The Thais insisted that they are in Incheon to retain the gold.
“We have the strongest team here. I don’t see any team beating us to the gold,” declared Thai team manager Thawat Tutmuthongparit.
“We are here to retain the gold, not to win the silver or bronze. I don’t see Malaysia beating us.
“Our team is very experienced and we can have any combination of regus and still win.”
At these Games, the Thais have fielded Kaokaew Pornchai, Sakha Siriwat, Siriyan Peachan as their first regu while Anuwat Chaichana Sittipong Khamchan and Pattarapong Yupadee form the second regu.
In the third regu, the Thais have veteran Supachai Maneenat, Kritsana Tanakorn and Assdin Wongyota.
The Thais are certainly not boasting. They have yet to drop a set so far, whitewashing all their Group A opponents – South Korea, India and Japan – by 3-0 scorelines.
In the other semi-final, hosts South Korea will take on Indonesia.
The South Koreans are bidding to reach their first final. They were the beaten semi-finalists in Busan 2002 and 2010 Guangzhou.
South Korea coach Lee Ki-hoon believes they will beat Indonesia as they have improved on their service for these Games.
“I think the quality of our service will determine the outcome of the match. But it’s going to be a tough match as Indonesia have a good and experienced team,” said Ki-hoon.
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