'Sheer grit' made the difference, say Malaysia's golden takraw heroes
NAGOYA: Playing through a string of injuries and without their leading killer, Malaysia pulled off one of their biggest upsets in recent sepak takraw history by sweeping perennial rivals Thailand 2-0 to capture the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s team regu gold today.
Malaysia's men's team regu team from sepak takraw stunned their rivals Thailand 2-0 at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, finally ending a 36-year drought for the Southeast Asian nation. The victory, which took place at the Nagoya City Mizuho Arena, marked the first Asian Games gold in the men's team regu event for Malaysia since 1990. The team's success came as a result of sheer determination and grit, as they played through injuries and without their top scorer.
Star striker Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin was forced to withdraw from the tournament just 24 hours before the opening matches due to injury, leaving the team to carry on without their leader. Despite this setback, Tekong Syahir Rosdi and right-wing killer Azlan Alias stepped up to the plate, producing a disciplined performance that saw them win both of their opening matches. Azlan, who also played through injury, attributed their triumph to the team's unwavering spirit and refusal to allow Thailand to find their rhythm.
"We honestly cannot explain how we pulled off a 2-0 sweep against a Thai side that has been in peak form," Azlan said after the match. "Syahir was hurt, I was playing through pain, and several others were struggling physically before we even arrived in Nagoya. But when we stepped onto that court, everything clicked. It was sheer grit."
The team entered the final free from expectations, driven only by their desire to contest every ball until the end. They didn't focus on the odds or the outcome, simply playing with the determination to win each point. "We didn't care if it ended 2-1 or 2-0. We played completely beyond ourselves. We knew our vulnerabilities, but we tapped into an extraordinary reserve of strength out there, and that was what we delivered," Azlan added.
The historic victory was a testament to Malaysia's ability to overcome adversity and achieve greatness when they set their minds to it. "The year 2026 has made history for our generation," said Azlan. "We carried Noraizat's fighting spirit onto that court with us today. It was heartbreaking that he couldn't be out there battling alongside us, but we played every point with him in our hearts. Win or lose, we are one squad, and today the entire unit delivered."
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