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NEWS & EVENTS
Brunei win silver in sepak takraw triple
Saturday, 5th December 2009


BRUNEI went down fighting in the final of the 3rd Borneo Games sepak takraw triple category yesterday.

After captain Md Azri Tahir, Abd Adib Hj Ahmad and Md Shahrul Meyasin won the first set 21-17 at the Sg Kebun Sports Complex in Lumapas, the national team looked set for victory against East Kalimantan.

With the scores tied at 19-19 in the second set, Brunei had the chance to win the match but Abd Adib's return was out of bounds and the scores stood at 20-19 to the visitors.

The Indonesians serve was too hot to handle after that, and they won the set 21-19 to force a rubber set.

Abd Hadi Ariffin Matali replaced Md Shahrul in the second and third sets, with reserve Md Basyiruddin Hj Kamis playing no part in the match.

Though they maintained their never-say-die attitude in the third set, Brunei was always trailing until they switched sides half-way through the set.

They were down 8-4 but turned the game around with the help of the raucous home fans - who were more than vocal in their support.

Evening the scores at 11-11 and again at 12-12, Brunei would take the first lead of the set at 13-12.

East Kalimantan represented by Juno Pornomo, Misbahudin and Sutikno in all three sets won the next two points to lead 14-13 before Brunei came back to 14-14 in an increasingly tense matchup.

A poor serve by Md Azri handed East Kalimantan the lead and the Indonesians won the match when Brunei failed to deliver a return.

Md Azri and Abd Adib clattered into the advertising banner trying to save the last point, ample proof of the pairs commitment to the team.

Their coach was less thrilled though.

"My players played very well but the winners played better," said Muhd Maziz Abdullah.

"They (East Kalimantan) maintained their discipline in the second and third sets when we made mistakes. In close games like these, small mistakes become big mistakes.

"They had the chance to kill the game at 19-19 in the second set but.

"But what to do?

"I guess I should be happy with silver," he added.

Sabah and Melaka were awarded joint-third place.

Brunei also finished with silver in the team event on Tuesday after losing to Sabah 2-1.

The defending champions in the event, Brunei won the first set 21-15, 21-14 but saw Sabah turn the tables in the second and third set.

The Sabahans won the second set 21-10, 21-19 and took the third set 21-18, 21-17 to clinch the deal.

Sarawak beat Labuan 2-1 for the bronze.

Brunei and Labuan won bronze in the doubles event after losing to Melaka in the semi-final. Melaka beat Sabah 2-1 (21-19, 23-21) for the gold.

Courtesy from Brunei Times