Takraw World Cup: Malaysia crowned team regu champions in controversial final

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia emerged champions of the TM Istaf Sepak Takraw World Cup team regu event after opponents Thailand opted against continuing playing in protest yesterday.

The first regu of Zulkifli Abd Razak, Afifuddin Mohd Razali and Aidil Aiman Azwawi defeated Thailand’s Pornthep Tinbangbon, Jirasak Pakbuangoen and Marukin Phanmakon 15-9, 13-15, 15-12 to put Malaysia 1-0 up in the final at Titiwangsa Stadium.

Kritsanapong Nontakote, Tanaphon Sapyen and Wuttinun Kamsanor, however, put Thailand level after beating Haziq Mohd Rosdi, Azlan Alias and Farhan Adam 15-6, 15-10.

In the third match, Malaysia’s Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican, Hafizul Hayazi Adnan and Amirul Zazwan Amir won the first set 15-13 against Jakkrit Tinbangbon, Puthawan Sopa and Wichan Temkort.

The tension came to a head when Thailand were leading 14-13 in the second set and struck what they thought to be the winning point but it was overruled by the umpire, Singaporean Radhi Che Mei, who ruled that a Thai player’s leg had crossed over into the Malaysian side under the net.

This enraged the Thais who verbally protested against the decision without success.

Thailand then opted to not continue playing, though they did not leave the court.

Tournament officials thus ruled that Malaysia won the final match and thus won the final 2-1.

Malaysia national team manager Datuk Abu Jimi Samat said the umpire was not at fault.

“The umpire’s decision was correct, I saw the Thai player’s foot cross the line in the video replay, it was clear to see,” said Jimi.

Thailand team manager Auychai Srisuwan claimed that the judging throughout the final was biased in favour of Malaysia.

“We had been losing three to four points in every game (due to biased judging) up to then. This was why we decided not to continue playing,” said Auychai.

Thailand, the defending champions in the event, did, however, participate in the prize giving ceremony.

Thailand had beaten Malaysia 2-1 in the 2024 World Cup team regu final, which was also held in Kuala Lumpur.

ENDS

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المصدر: New Straits Times