RI men’s team halted in super series’ semis

PALEMBANG: The Indonesian men’s sepak takraw team was stopped in the International Sepak Takraw Super Series on Saturday after defending champion Thailand outclassed the host squad 3-0 in Palembang, South Sumatra.

After the loss, Indonesia is scheduled to face South Korea to hopefully berth third place in the event, which is sanctioned by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF).

In the Saturday afternoon match, Indonesia deployed its three best players: Abrian S, Syamsul Hadi and Nofrizal. However, the squad of coach Muhammad Admadi failed to overcome the powerful Thai team, which was the gold medalist at the 26th Southeast Asian Games held in November last year and the Super Series I in Bangkok last month.

Without mercy, Thailand took an early 5-0 lead before eventually finishing the first set 15-5. In the second set, Indonesia showed some fighting spirit, but the experienced Thai team called it a match after besting the host team 15-12 in the second set.

“[The loss] had been predicted because Thailand is still the best. Our players were already beaten even before they had pitched in. They did not give their strongest effort,” said assistant coach Setyo Budi after the match.

Setyo said that he had briefed his team to play all out and wholeheartedly when facing the Thais. “What can I say; they only reached this far.”

On the women’s side, Indonesia faced another lost against South Korea. The host team will meet Vietnam to grab third place in the event./Khairul Saleh