PETALING JAYA: Malaysia finally enjoyed some bragging rights in sepaktakraw after cruising to a 2-0 win over defending champions Thailand in the second leg final for their first-ever ISTAF SuperSeries title at the Malacca International Trade Centre.
Malaysia won 21-7, 21-19 in 50 minutes for their first win over Thailand in 10 years. The last time Malaysia beat their northern neighbours was in the 2005 SEA Games final.
In the ISTAF SuperSeries, Malaysia reached seven finals but lost all of them, including one to South Korea.
Malaysia made one change to the side that defeated South Korea 2-0 in Saturday’s semi-finals.
The introduction of Hanafiah Dolah as striker instead of the regular Khairol Zaman Hamir Akhbar in the first set alongside captain and feeder Farhan Adam and tekong Syahir Rosdi was a tactical masterstroke.
Malaysia were simply mercurial in all fronts with Syahir serving seven aces at speeds of up to 75km/h while Hanafiah and Farhan combined effectively to win the opening set in 18 minutes.