PETALING JAYA: MALAYSIA'S sepak takraw team finally ended a 36-year wait for the Asian Games men’s team gold after beating archrivals Thailand in the final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Friday (Sept 25).
Malaysia drew first blood through Syahir Rosdi, Azlan Alias and Farhan Adam, who battled past Thailand’s Phutawan Sopa, Pornthep Tinbangbon and Marukin Phanmakon 15-9, 5-15, 15-11 in a tense opening regu at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.
The “Golden Tigers” then finished the job in the second regu as Zulkifli Razak, Afifuddin Razali and Aidil Aiman Zawawi defeated Kamsanor Wuttinun, Sapyen Tanaphon and Nontakote Kritsanapong 15-13, 15-10 to seal the gold medal.
It was Malaysia’s first gold in the event since the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
The success also delivered Malaysia’s fourth gold medal of the Games after two were delivered in karate and one in e-sports.
