Hj Ismail Pehin Orang Kaya
Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Hj
Hashim placing a sash on a
national sepak takraw player at the
Brunei International Airport
yesterday. Picture: BT/Amir Amin

The national sepak takraw team at the 2nd Asian Beach Games returned to a hero's welcome on its arrival at the Brunei International Airport in Berakas yesterday.

Captain Ismail Ang, Mohammad Azri Tahir, Mohammad Shukri Jaineh, Nur Alimin Sungoh, Abdul Amin Mahari and Abdul Hadi Ariffin Matali were each presented with a congratulations sash by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports deputy permanent secretary Hj Ismail Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Paduka Hj Hashim for winning bronze in Muscat, Oman.

"I can say that the quality of their performance has increased. They showed that they were able to fight against other countries that are strong in the region," said team manager Hj Mohd Noor Hj Hamid yesterday.

"The only downside is that when it was time for the semi-final match against Myanmar, they were mentally tired after trying their best to win against Indonesia. It was a tightly contested match in which both teams conceded and scored a point."

The Sultanate's men's regu team kicked off their campaign on the right foot by defeating South Korea 2-1 (21-15, 17-21, 15-13) in their first Pool A test at Al Musannah Sports City, before succumbing to a 2-0 (21-5, 21-12) lost against Pool A leaders Thailand on Monday.

Tasked in a must-win match against Indonesia for their final preliminary match, they did not disappoint by triumphing 2-0 (24-22, 21-15) on Tuesday.

Defending champions Thailand defeated the latter (24-22, 21-15) in the final preliminary match of the group to set up a semi-final date between Brunei and Myanmar on Wednesday.

Courtesy from Brunei Times