KUALA LUMPUR: Hopes of achieving a hat-trick at the Sepak Takraw World Cup were dashed after Malaysia lost 2-1 to heavyweights Thailand in the team event final at Titiwangsa Stadium today.
The opening match saw Malaysia's first-choice regu of Farhan Adam, Syahir Rosdi and Azlan Alias digging deep to eke out a 9-15, 15-11, 15-13 come-from-behind win over Thailand's Poramet Siriswat, Siriwat Sakha and Varayut Jantarasena.
Siriwat (tekong) put immense pressure on Malaysia with his service variations, alternating short, angled efforts with deep powerful drives.
Thailand appeared to have the upper hand in the third set, opening up a five-point advantage at one point, but fell short when it mattered, allowing Malaysia to take a 1-0 lead in the final.
The second match was a more straightforward affair.
Wichan Temkort, Kritsanapong Nontakote and Pichet Pansan levelled the final for Thailand after easily taming Amirul Zazwan Amir, Haziq Hairul Nizam and Noraizat Nordin 15-8, 15-5.
The Malaysian trio appeared out of sorts and were never allowed to settle into a rhythm.
The third regu comprising Aidil Aiman Azwawi, Zuhri Muhammad Zain and Baihakki A'ripin came out firing for Malaysia and raced off to a 6-1 lead in the opening set of the deciding match.
Thailand, who started with Marukin Phanmakon, Pornthep Tingbangbon and Tanaphon Sapyen, did not wait long to replace a misfiring Pornthep with experienced tekong Sittipong Khamchan.
Sittipong's introduction immediately changed the dynamics of the game and allowed them to control the match.
The Thai trio would close out the match 15-12, 15-12 and secure the team event title for Thailand.
Thailand national team assistant coach Suphaloek Kimthong was all smiles after their win.
"It was a good final, the Malaysian team have improved a lot so we are very happy to be able to win this title," said Suphaloek.
"Malaysia already knew Thailand's game well and came prepared. It was also tough for us adapting to the new 15-point format (introduced here)."
Malaysia national team coach Ahmad Jais Baharun said his team still have much room for improvement.
"Our second regu did well to lead early in the first set but then made mistake after mistake after that," said Jais.
"That gave Thailand the confidence to go on and push for the win.
"Unfortunately, we were not able to break Thailand's dominance in the team event today.
"We will go back and work hard on improving ourselves, there are certain areas which need strengthening. We will do better in future competitions."
Malaysia had earlier on Wednesday upset Thailand in both the doubles and inter-regu finals.
Malaysia had never beaten Thailand in any doubles competition prior to this and had not beaten them in the inter-regu since the 2015 Istaf Super Series leg in Melaka.
The last time Malaysia won a team event title was at the 1991 Manila Sea Games.
The next edition of the World Cup is expected to be held in Iran in 2026.
