Brunei's Ismail Ang (L) in action during an earlier competition. Ismail is currently competing at the 29th King's Cup Sepak Takraw Championship 2014 in Bangkok, Thailand. BT file
The national sepak takraw team fell short of achieving their target in the doubles event of the 29th King's Cup Sepak Takraw Championship 2014.
The Sultanate finished in the runners-up spot after losing 2-0 (21-19, 21-16) to the Philippines in the Division 1 final yesterday in Bangkok. Brunei had lost to the same opponents in the final last year as well. Prior to their departure, head coach Hj Zaman Hj Samat had targetted winning the category this year at the August 4 - 10 tournament.
"I'm disappointed but the Philippines were too good for us," said Hj Zaman in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday. "Never mind as we will try to win our next games," he added. The team of Nur Alimin Sunggoh, Ismail Ang and Abd Hadi Ariffin Matali had started out their campaign with a 2-1 (21-18, 17-21, 21-14) victory over Singapore on Monday.
They then swept the group with a 2-1 (19-21, 21-17, 21-17) win over India on Tuesday. Brunei made it three straight with a 2-1 (20-22, 21-11, 21-17) triumph over China in the semi-finals yesterday. The regu team kicked off their campaign in the Premier Division yesterday with a loss to Singapore before bouncing back to take a 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) victory over Iran.
They will compete in the semi-finals today. The regu team are made of Nur Alimin, Md Shukri Jaineh, Hafizzuddin Jamaludin, Jamaluddin Hj Marzi and Marzuki Munap will take to the court again today with their opponents yet to be confirmed. The Sultanate will also take part in the team event. Amin Maharil, Akmal Hamimi, Shahrin Bubin and Aliffuddin Jamaludin are the other four players on the squad.
Brunei are in Thailand to gear up for the upcoming 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea. The 12-player squad are competing in the tournamnet as a warmup and the number will be reduced to eight leading up to the Sept 19 - Oct 4 competition. Meanwhile, the 4th NBT National Sepak Takraw Regu Trophy is slated to begin on August 22 at the Multipurpose Hall of the Menglait Sports Complex.
Registration forms can be obtained by contacting Hj Bakar Kassim at 8820464 or Ramlan Hj Md Said at 8743555. Completed forms together with entry fees of $60 per team are to be handed in no later than 4pm on August 17.
