Aichi-Nagoya 2026: Malaysia's takraw team beats Thailand to win gold in final

AICHI-NAGOYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2026 —

Malaysia’s men’s sepak takraw regu team advanced to the gold medal match at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after defeating the Philippines 2-1 in the semifinal held at the Paloma Mizuho Arena.

The match began with the Philippines establishing an early lead, taking a 4-0 advantage before Malaysia’s tekong Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak scored the first point to narrow the gap to 1-4. Despite this, the Philippines maintained control, extending their lead to 10-6. Head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun responded by substituting Mohamad Azlan Alias for apit kanan Muhammad Afifuddin Razali and Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi for Zulkifli to improve service performance.

However, these changes did not alter the momentum of the first set, which the Philippines won 15-10, with their tekong Rafael Jom Lerry playing a role in saving several Malaysian services.

In the second set, Malaysia displayed a more organized approach. Although trailing 0-3, Syahir initiated a comeback with an ace service to secure the first point for the national team. Momentum shifted decisively when a service by Rafael landed in the net, allowing Malaysia to take their first lead of the match at 7-6. The team subsequently widened their advantage to 11-6 before closing out the set 15-11 to force a deciding third set.

The final set featured intense competition between Syahir and Rafael, with the two tekongs exchanging points in the early stages. Malaysia gradually assumed control after taking a 2-1 lead, with Syahir’s sharp services helping to widen the gap. The national team remained composed, preventing the Philippines from mounting a comeback, and ultimately sealed the set 15-7 to confirm their 2-1 victory and a place in the final.

The squad, comprising Zulkifli, Afifuddin, and apit kiri Aidil Aiman Azwawi, will now face Thailand in the gold medal match scheduled for Tuesday. The Philippines, having lost in the semifinals, claimed the bronze medal in the event. The Asian Games, held in Aichi-Nagoya, serve as a major platform for regional athletic competition, with sepak takraw being a prominent sport in the Southeast Asian region.

The upcoming final represents a significant opportunity for the Malaysian team to secure a top-tier medal at the continental level. The match against Thailand is expected to be competitive, given the strong performances displayed by both teams in their respective semifinal encounters. The outcome of this final will determine the gold medalist for the men’s regu event at the 2026 Asian Games.

Related: Muhammad Zulkifli Abd Razak · Aichi-Nagoya