PHNOM PENH: The national men's sepak takraw squad retained their Sea Games team silver medal after downing Cambodia 3-0 in their final round-robin tie at the NSTC Basketball Hall here today.
After yesterday's heartbreaking loss to eventual gold medallists Thailand in their first tie, coach Ahmad Jais Baharun's side were on fire today as Amirul Zazwan Amir, Syahir Rosdi and Khairol Zaman Hamir Akbar thrashed Cambodia's Kien Korn, Pheng Mithona and Sen Sie E 21-10, 21-6 in the first regu match.
The second regu of Aidil Aiman Azwawi, Afiffudin Razali and Zulkifli Abd Razak sealed the tie with a 21-5, 21-8 success over Cambodia's Houth Sovouthta, Sam Veasna and Sorn Channem.
In the third match, Malaysia's Norfaizzul Abd Razak, Haziq Hairul Nizam and Hafizul Hayazi Adnan recorded a 21-6, 2-8 win over Ngorn Theara, Oum Sansovin and Phom Kongkia.
Coach Ahmad Jais wants his players to polish up their game for the inter-regu and doubles events.
"We retained our silver, but I hope my players will show their true colours in the next two events.
"Our first game in the inter-regu event is against Thailand. I want our players to be more positive because in a round-robin format, every game is crucial, as the team that tops the standings will take home the gold medal.
"It will be challenging in the doubles event as all the countries will send their best teams. We need to win all our group matches to advance to the semi-finals," he said.
The doubles event begins tomorrow, while the inter-regu starts on Tuesday.
The inter-regu will see only Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Cambodia in action.
In the men's doubles event, Malaysia are in Group B with Myanmar, Singapore and Cambodia, while Group A comprises Indonesia, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam.- BERNAMA
