PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s sepak takraw squad suffered a blow after striker Noraizat Nordin was ruled out through injury ahead of their opening match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The 27-year-old Noraizat sustained the injury during the team’s training session in Japan on Saturday (Sept 19) and was later declared unfit to compete following medical evaluations.
Shahalril Aiman Halim will be taking over the spot in the men’s regu squad.
The Malaysian Sepak Takraw Federation (PSM) said they had to issue an emergency squad replacement request to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) through the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM).
“Shahalril has been named as the replacement for Noraizat.
“PSM hope all matters related to the change will proceed smoothly. We hope for Noraizat’s recovery,” PSM said in a statement on Saturday (Sept 19).
Malaysia are set to start their men’s team regu campaign against hosts Japan on Sunday at the Paloma Mizuho Arena, followed by the Philippines the next day, before the final Group B match against India on Tuesday.
