The Malaysia men's sepak takraw team contributed the first silver medal for the country at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang Games after they 0-2 to Thailand in the men's team regu final on Wednesday.

Taking place at the Ranau Hall, Jakabaring Sports City, Palembang, Malaysia's first regu squad comprising Zulkifli Abdul Razak as captain, Norhaffizi Abdul Razak (striker) and Syazreenaqmar Salehan (feeder) started off well but failed to keep up the momentum and fell 15-21, 15-21 to Thailand's squad led by Assadin Wongyota.

The country's top squad represented by Syahir Rosdi (captain), Farhan Adam (feeder) and Azlan Alias (striker) went out in the second game but lost 19-21, 13-21 to Thailand's main squad headed by Pornchai Kaokaew.

However, the silver medal was still an improvement over the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, where they won bronze.

The defeat also saw Thailand extend their reign in the event, retaining the gold medal for 20 years.



Syahir, when met by Bernama after the final, admitted that he had lost his focus a little after the referee refused to allow the national team to 'challenge' a decision in the first set of their match.

When Thailand was ahead 20-19 in the first set, the Malaysian team led by him had protested the referee's decision, claiming that Azlan Alias' strike had hit the hand of Thai player Sakha Siriwat.

However, the referee from Laos, Peune Inthanor, did not allow a video challenge and instead awarded a point to Thailand, which ended the match at 21-19 in the latter team's favour.

"In the second set, the trio from Thailand took advantage of the opportunity as their confidence level went up. On the other hand, we were affected by the decision, and then lost our rhythm," he said.

Meanwhile, head coach Abdul Talib Ahmad said he was satisfied with the performance of the team in the event.

"In terms of our achievement, it is better than Incheon [the 2014 Asian Games], all the players have shown good performances and have played with greater spirit,” he said.