Malaysia’s national sepak takraw quadrant team etched their name in history after being crowned Asian champions with a thrilling 2-0 victory over Japan in the final of the Asian Cup at Stadium Titiwangsa today.
On home turf, the squad led by head coach Mohammad Zulkarnain Mohamed Arif came out firing on all cylinders, fueled by a raucous crowd. The Malaysians, featuring Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali, Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim, Amirul Zazwan Amir, and veteran star Norfaizzul Abd Razak, stormed to a commanding 5-0 lead in the first set.
With relentless attacks and clinical spikes, Malaysia maintained their dominance, sealing the opening set 15-8, as Japan struggled to cope with the host’s intensity and precision.
The second set, however, proved a sterner test. Japan, spearheaded by Wataru Natawa, Masaki Sasamoto, Toshitaka Naito, Ryota Haruhara, and Seiya Takano, drew first blood and matched Malaysia point for point in the early exchanges. With the score locked at 2-2, Malaysia shifted gears, executing sharper plays and faster transitions.
Though Japan managed to level the game again at 6-6, the Malaysians’ superior teamwork and composure under pressure proved decisive. Point by point, they pulled away, eventually closing out the match 15-11 in just 38 minutes, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters.
Earlier in the tournament, Malaysia topped Group B in the preliminary rounds and secured their spot in the final after a convincing 2-0 semi-final triumph over South Korea.
This historic victory marks Malaysia’s first-ever Asian Quadrant Sepak Takraw Championship title, a testament to the squad’s relentless determination, tactical discipline, and the passionate support of their fans.
Credit Photo : PSM
