Sepak Takraw World Cup: National Team Regu Squad Dominate Japan To Reach Last Four
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The national team regu squad continued their dominance over Japan after recording a stylish 2-0 victory in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup at Stadium Titiwangsa here today.
The win leaves Malaysia just one step away from at least achieving their target of reaching the final, with either Indonesia or the Philippines set to stand in their way in tomorrow morning’s semi-final clash.
Should they progress to the final, the achievement would repeat the national squad’s success in reaching the title decider at the 2024 edition and the Asian Cup held at the same venue.
Tonight’s action began with Malaysia’s impressive momentum through the regu comprising Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Farhan Adam and Mohamad Azlan Alias, who defeated Japan’s trio of Hirokazu Kobayashi, Shuma Takata and Ryota Haruhara 15-9, 15-6.
However, there was a slight setback for Malaysia in the match as Mohammad Syahir suffered an injury towards the end of the first set before being replaced by Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican.
Malaysia’s progression to the semi-finals was then confirmed through the second regu comprising Zulkifli Abd Razak, Muhammad Afifuddin Mohd Razali and Aidil Aiman Azwawi, who defeated Shun Yuasa, Yota Ichikawa and Seiya Takano 15-6, 15-8.
Meanwhile, Zarif Marican said his dominant display after coming on in the second set was due to his mindset of always being ready whenever required by the team.
“I have already set my mindset that I must always be ready for every regu because playing in the ‘joker’ position means we cannot afford to be careless.
“I have trained, I have worked hard and I just follow the coach’s instructions. If given the trust, God willing, I will step in and give 100 per cent,” he told reporters after the match.
He also admitted that previous experiences, including during a tournament in Thailand, had helped him become more prepared whenever fielded as a substitute player.
-- BERNAMA
