It was mission accomplished for the national sepak takraw team the Bruneians winning the bronze at the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat yesterday.
The men's regu team high-flying acrobatics came to an end after losing 2-0 to Myanmar in the semi-finals at Al-Musannah Sports City.
The undefeated Pool B leaders beat Brunei 21-13 in the first set, before sealing the victory by a 21-10 scoreline in the second set for a berth in the final.
However, the defeat did not spell a total loss for Brunei. For making it into the semi-finals, Team Brunei are joint-bronze medallists with hosts Oman.
The bronze medal in Muscat matches their achievement at the inaugural edition in Bali two years ago.
Oman, meanwhile, were shown the exit door by defending champions Thailand, who defeated the hosts 2-0 (21-10, 21-15) to extend their winning streak.
It was the Thais that did the Sultanate a favour. Prior to the semi-finals, Thailand were pitted against Indonesia in the final Pool A match. In order for Team Brunei to advance, the Thais had to win.
They did just that beating Indonesia 21-13, 21-10 to not only cement their reputation as the favourites but also grant Brunei a spot in the semi-finals which guaranteed the Sultanate of at least a bronze medal.
Thailand and Myanmar, both teams have not tasted a single defeat, will duel in the final today.
The feat in Muscat means that it is the second consecutive time the national sepak takraw team have clinched a medal at the Asian Beach Games.
It is the second bronze medal for skipper Ismail Ang, Mohammad Azri Tahir and Mohammad Shukri Jaineh, who alongside former teammates Jamaluddin Hj Marzi and Mohd Selamat Yakub also reached the semi-finals in Bali.
The five finished joint-third alongside Malaysia in the first edition in 2008.
Though Brunei will not match the medal tally in Bali two silver and three bronze medals due to the unfortunate exclusion of pencak silat, the Muscat Games at least proves that Brunei are performing consistently at the Games.
Courtesy from Brunei Times
