Takraw boys flip script on Indonesia to book final against Thailand

NAGOYA: Malaysia set up a mouth-watering Asian Games men's team regu final against traditional rivals Thailand after defeating Indonesia 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Thursday.

Malaysia now stand just one win away from ending a 36-year wait for the team regu gold medal, having last won the event at the 1990 Beijing edition.

The national squad were given a tough time by Indonesia before their third regu staged a dramatic comeback to seal victory.

The trio of Zarif Marican Ibrahim, Amirul Zazwan Amir, and Hafizul Hayazi Adnan rescued Malaysia, recovering from a first-game loss to drag the match into a deciding set and win 15-11.

In a tense contest, Zarif started as tekong before being replaced by Haziq Hairul Nizam late in the first set as Malaysia sought to change their tactical rhythm.

However, the substitution failed to yield the desired impact as Indonesia kept up the pressure.

Zarif returned as tekong late in the second set and played through to the end of the match.

Malaysia were on the brink of elimination as the third regu trailed 11-6 before fighting back to win the second set 15-11 and force a decider.

Earlier, Malaysia fell behind when the first regu of Zulkifli Razak, Aidil Aiman Azwawi, and Afifudin Razali lost to Indonesia's Saiful Rijal, Yudha Aswinata, and Hardiansyah Muliang 10-15, 15-13, 15-13.

The national team levelled the tie 1-1 through the second regu of Syahir Rosdi, Farhan Adam, and Azlan Alias, who defeated Jelki Ladada, Syamsul Akmal, and Andy Try Sandi Saputra 15-10, 15-6.

Malaysia will face Thailand, who advanced after defeating Japan 2-0 in the other semi-final, in the final on Friday.