Malaysia's dream of a golden double in sepak takraw at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 came to an end on Tuesday, as the national squad fell 0-2 to defending champions Thailand in the men's regu final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.
Thailand take control
The Malaysian trio of Mohamad Azlan Alias (striker), Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong) and Aidil Aiman Azwawi (feeder) faced stiff resistance from the Thai team of Tanaphon Sapyen, Kritsanapong Nontakote and Wuttinun Kamsanor in a fast-paced final.
National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun rang the changes midway, replacing Syahir with Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak and Aidil Aiman with Muhammad Afifuddin Razali to try to shift the momentum. But Thailand dominated the first set to close it 15-9.
Malaysia came out more aggressively in the second set but fell behind 0-5 early. The coach's gamble then briefly paid off as Syahir, Aidil Aiman and Azlan were reunited and rallied to level the score at 5-5. The comeback stalled when two of Syahir's serves hit the net, allowing Thailand to pull ahead 9-5. The Thai trio then scored point after point to seal the match 15-8.
So near to history
The defeat denied Malaysia a second sepak takraw gold at these Games, coming just four days after the squad ended a 36-year wait by winning the team regu title at the Paloma Mizuho Arena — a title last claimed at the 1990 Beijing Games.
The 1990 edition remains the last time Malaysia won two sepak takraw gold medals in a single Asian Games. On that occasion, the regu gold came through the quartet of Noor Rani Adnan, Rehan Mohamad Din, Nordin Sabarudin and Abd Malik Samsudin.
Malaysia's runners-up finish means the national contingent settled for silver, taking its silver medal tally to four at the current Games.
Sources:
Malay Mail: Asian Games — Malaysia misses double gold as takraw regu succumbs to Thailand
Thailand take control
The Malaysian trio of Mohamad Azlan Alias (striker), Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi (tekong) and Aidil Aiman Azwawi (feeder) faced stiff resistance from the Thai team of Tanaphon Sapyen, Kritsanapong Nontakote and Wuttinun Kamsanor in a fast-paced final.
National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun rang the changes midway, replacing Syahir with Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak and Aidil Aiman with Muhammad Afifuddin Razali to try to shift the momentum. But Thailand dominated the first set to close it 15-9.
Malaysia came out more aggressively in the second set but fell behind 0-5 early. The coach's gamble then briefly paid off as Syahir, Aidil Aiman and Azlan were reunited and rallied to level the score at 5-5. The comeback stalled when two of Syahir's serves hit the net, allowing Thailand to pull ahead 9-5. The Thai trio then scored point after point to seal the match 15-8.
So near to history
The defeat denied Malaysia a second sepak takraw gold at these Games, coming just four days after the squad ended a 36-year wait by winning the team regu title at the Paloma Mizuho Arena — a title last claimed at the 1990 Beijing Games.
The 1990 edition remains the last time Malaysia won two sepak takraw gold medals in a single Asian Games. On that occasion, the regu gold came through the quartet of Noor Rani Adnan, Rehan Mohamad Din, Nordin Sabarudin and Abd Malik Samsudin.
Malaysia's runners-up finish means the national contingent settled for silver, taking its silver medal tally to four at the current Games.
Sources:
Malay Mail: Asian Games — Malaysia misses double gold as takraw regu succumbs to Thailand