NAGOYA, Sept 29 — The national sepak takraw squad’s ambition to secure a golden double at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games fell short after they lost 0-2 to defending champions Thailand in the regu event final today.

The defeat meant Malaysia failed to add to their gold medal tally, having previously clinched the team regu title four days ago at the Paloma Mizuho Arena.

Malaysia, aiming for a second gold, faced stiff resistance from Thailand in the final, with both teams displaying a fast-paced and intense game from the outset.

Earlier, Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong), Aidil Aiman ​​Azwawi (feeder), and Mohamad Azlan Alias ​​(striker) were tasked with taking the lead, but they were not given an easy path by the Thai trio of Tanaphon Sapyen, Kritsanapong Nontakote, and Wuttinun Kamsanor, who pulled ahead 12-8.

National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun then made substitutions, replacing Syahir with Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak and Aidil Aiman ​​with Muhammad Afifuddin Razali in an effort to alter the gameplay.

However, the substitutions could not stop Thailand from dominating the game and closing out the first set 15-9.

Malaysia, needing to bounce back in the second set to keep their gold medal hopes alive, played more aggressively but fell behind by five points at 0-5.

Syahir, Aidil Aiman, and Azlan were then reunited on court, and the tactical move paid off as Malaysia rallied to level the score at 5-5. However, Malaysia faced a tense moment when two of Syahir’s serves hit the net, allowing Thailand to pull ahead 9-5.

Following that, the Thai trio scored point after point before closing out the match 15-8, denying Malaysia the chance to secure a second gold medal in the sepak takraw competition.

Last Friday, the national squad ended a 36-year wait by winning gold in the team regu event, a title they had last claimed at the 1990 Beijing Games.

At that same edition, Malaysia also brought home the gold in the regu event through the quartet of Noor Rani Adnan, Rehan Mohamad Din, Nordin Sabarudin, and Abd Malik Samsudin.

The success in Beijing in 1990 marked the last time Malaysia won two sepak takraw gold medals in a single Asian Games edition.

Today’s defeat in the final meant Malaysia had to settle for the silver medal, bringing the national contingent’s silver medal tally to four at the current Games. — Bernama