ISTAF SuperSeries: Malaysia Finally Win Over Thailand

Sunday, February 8, 2015

It's been a long time coming....

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia finally enjoyed some bragging rights in sepaktakraw after cruising to a 2-0 win over defending champions Thailand in the second leg final for their first-ever ISTAF SuperSeries title at the Malacca International Trade Centre. Malaysia won 21-7, 21-19 in 50 minutes for their first win over Thailand in 10 years. The last time Malaysia beat their northern neighbours was in the 2005 SEA Games final. In the ISTAF SuperSeries, Malaysia reached seven finals but lost all of them, including one to South Korea.

Malaysia made one change to the side that defeated South Korea 2-0 in Saturday’s semi-finals.The introduction of Hanafiah Dolah as striker instead of the regular Khairol Zaman Hamir Akhbar in the first set alongside captain and feeder Farhan Adam and tekong Syahir Rosdi was a tactical masterstroke. Malaysia were simply mercurial in all fronts with Syahir serving seven aces at speeds of up to 75km/h while Hanafiah and Farhan combined effectively to win the opening set in 18 minutes.

Riding the momentum, Malaysia took a 6-3 lead in the second set but allowed Thailand to draw level at 8-8. The introduction of striker Suriyon Koonpimon swung the momentum in favour of the visitors as Malaysia struggled to stifle the Thai attack as they surged to a 15-12 lead. Malaysia then made a change, bringing in Khairol. It proved to be the turning point with Malaysia levelling the score at 19-all. Syahir then served an ace for Malaysia to lead 20-19. And when Suriyon sent the ball out in the next point, the 3,000 fans at the stadium enraptured with joy.

“This is a fantastic moment for us,” said national coach Abdul Talib Ahmad. “Our players rose to the occasion and they threw the Thais off guard in the first set. Everyone played their part. Syahir made some superb serves and Farhan, Hanafiah and Khairol did most of the damage at the net. “We made some tactical changes and that served us very well. This victory is a boost to our morale for the third leg of the ISTAF SuperSeries and the Singapore SEA Games in June.”

Source: The Star Online