The gold medal or the silver awaits Malaysia in the team regu event in the Asian Games sepak takraw competition after the Malaysians downed hosts Indonesia 2-0 in the semifinals in Palembang on Tuesday.
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In the final, the Malaysians will face arch-rivals Thailand for the gold medal match. At the last Asian Games in Incheon in 2014, Malaysia settled for the bronze after losing in the semi-finals.
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Thailand, strong favorites for the gold, defeated India 2-0 in the other semi-final. Despite the defeat, India clinched the bronze for the losing semi-finalists. It is India’s maiden sepakĀ takraw medal in the Asiad.Ā
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And to beat Indonesia at home is an achievement but it was coach Abdul Talib Ahmad shrewdness in switching his regusĀ that did the trick against the homesters.
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The Ranau Hall in Jakabaring Sports City in Palembang saw Malaysia take the first point with the second regu winning their match 21-17, 21-13. That boosted Malaysia’s confidence.
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Malaysia’s first regu had a tough time against Indonesia’s second regu and had to come from a set down to prevail 16-21, 21-18, 21-14 that broke the hearts of the home fans who had expected their team to advance to the final.
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For the record, Indonesia had beaten Malaysia in the 2017 Sea Games in Kuala Lumpur and that embarrassingĀ defeat in the group stage probably fired up the Malaysians in Palembang.Ā RIZAL ABDULLAHĀ
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