Brunei's sepak takraw team in
action against Thailand during
the 26th Southeast Asian Games
in Palembang,Indonesia. The
doubles event will start today.
Picture:Infofoto

The sepak takraw team have another opportunity to land themselves a medal in the 26th Southeast Asian Games in Palembang, Indonesia with the Doubles event starting today.

Brunei will be represented by the trio of Md Shukri Jaineh, Ismail Ang and Nur Alimin Sungoh who have been placed in group A together with Vietnam, Indonesia and Laos.

They are required to win two matches to advance into the semi-finals.

There are only three teams Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore in Group B. Winning one game should be sufficient to enter the final four.

The trio featured in the Regu team that put up a good performance against Indonesia in a thrilling 2-3 (9-15, 15-13, 13-15, 15-8, 7-15) loss that stopped them in their tracks from advancing into the next round on Sunday.

But it should still be a confidence booster considering that they pushed their opponents to the limit even with the backing of a hostile crowd at the Jakabaring Promotion Centre.

National sepak takraw coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak felt that the team have got a good opportunity in making it into the next round should things go their way.

"We will need to work hard. It will be another tough matchup to meet the hosts again especially that they have got home court advantage. Vietnam is a strong team to handle as well," said Ittiphol during an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.

"The players are ready and hopefully we will be able to pull it off. It'll be a 50-50 chance for all teams. One thing for sure is that the players have improved a lot mentally and feel confident," added the 44-year-old.

"Compared to two years ago in Laos, I thought we were only on 40 per cent but now we are already on the high with at least 70 per cent. I'm very happy with them for pushing Indonesia to the limit in the last match," said the Thai.

The team have got good medal prospects as the same players brought home the bronze at the 2nd Asian Beach Games in Muscat last December.

The team have had a busy September, competing in the International Sepak Takraw Federation (Istaf) World Cup Series (second series) from Sept 7-11 followed by the 26th King's Cup Sepak Takraw World Championship 2011 from Sept 12-17 in Thailand.

They remained in Thailand to train with the best for another two weeks, resulting in their positive attitude just before the Nov 11- 22 Games.

They will play two matches today, going up against Indonesia first at 1pm followed by Vietnam at 5pm.

They will then take on Laos on Sunday.

Courtesy from Brunei Times