Malaysia’s regu squad defeat to Myanmar in the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup semi-finals is a vital learning experience ahead of two major tournaments.
KUALA LUMPUR: The national regu squad’s defeat to Myanmar in the semi-finals of the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup last Tuesday should not be viewed as the end, but rather as a valuable lesson ahead of two more major tournaments this year.
Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) president Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan remains optimistic that national players, including Farhan Adam, Mohammad Syahir Rosdi and Mohamad Azlan Alias, are capable of returning to their true form after going through a challenging period of late.
He said the players had also been reminded to set aside all criticism and refocus on their game.
“I am confident they will bounce back. Perhaps, previously, some players were a little down and did not perform well, but gradually, they have regained their rhythm, especially during the team event.
“We can see they are beginning to gain momentum, and I believe they can perform better after this,” he said.
According to Sumali, defeats in major tournaments should serve as valuable experience for players, helping them be better prepared mentally and physically when facing international competition.
He said players should also not lose confidence too easily, as small mistakes early in the game could affect the team’s overall rhythm.
“Once you enter a major tournament, players must be prepared for any situation. Do not get too down or lose focus.
“Mistakes at the start of the game greatly disrupted our regu’s momentum against Myanmar,” he said.
For the record, Malaysia’s hopes of seeing the regu squad advance to the final were dashed after suffering a shock 0-2 defeat to Myanmar in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
The regu squad, however, still have hopes of winning the World Cup team regu title after advancing to the quarter-finals to face Japan.
Meanwhile, regarding the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Sumali said the current line-up of players remained in the team’s plans, although changes could still be made based on their current performances.
“If necessary, we will make slight changes. But I see all three of our regus as quite balanced and each has its own strengths.
“The players can also switch positions and we must always be ready to use reserve players or ‘jokers’ when needed,” he said.
