A SCRAPPY START FOR MALAYSIA

Malaysia faced unexpected resistance from the United States in their ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14 opening match, but did enough when it mattered most to carve out a somewhat scrappy win.

                                                                                                                           

Playing on an elevated court for the first time, the Malaysian first regu of Norshahruddin Mad Ghani, Ahmad Aizat Nor Azmi and Farhan Adam defeated the US trio of Jeremy Nathan, Tanakorn Tony and Tru A Cha 15-9, 15-9, 15-4 in their Group B fixture at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex here today.

“We really did not have a chance to practice on the elevated court and this was reflected in our first two sets,” said national head coach Jamaluddin Hassan. “We got better from set to set once the players found their footing, but we need to improve even more, especially in our serves, to take on Iran in our next match.”

Calling the elevated court a ‘unique’ experience for his players, Jamaluddin said that the team that adjusted the fastest to its spring-like properties would have a definite advantage over the others.

“We stayed relaxed, positive and ended up giving Malaysia a fight,” said the US’ Nathan. “This is the first time we’re playing as a team at the international level, and we are happy with our performance.”

The US team, who are taking part without any reserves or a coach, paid for their own way to the tournament.

The men’s competition was reduced to 10 teams when Myanmar was declared a no-show, which means that Group A now comprises Japan and defending champions Thailand. Both teams were awarded an automatic 3-0 win against Myanmar and will face one another twice in the first round.  Myanmar, meanwhile, was placed 11th in the competition.

In the other opening day match, third seeds South Korea defeated Brunei 15-6, 15-10, 15-6 in Group C.

The women’s competition saw Thailand defeating Japan 15-3, 15-4, 15-10 in their Group B match. In Group A, Indonesia overcame Korea 15-4, 15-11, 15-8.

ISTAF SuperSeries INDIA 2013/14, which ends September 1, kicks-off this year’s ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 season. The New Delhi tournament is followed by ISTAF SuperSeries THAILAND 2013/14 in Bangkok from September 26-29 followed by ISTAF SuperSeries MALAYSIA 2013/14 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from October 31 to November 3.

Held for the first time in India and the first time outside Southeast Asia, ISTAF SuperSeries is created by Asia Sports Ventures (ASV) and supported by local organisers Sepaktakraw Federation of India (STFI).

* Note to editor: The Malaysian women’s team plays Thailand at 6.15pm (Malaysian time). An updated match report, along with results of other matches of the day will follow.

Results:

Men’s:

Thailand bt Myanmar 3-0 (walkover) (Group A)

South Korea bt Brunei 15-6, 15-10, 15-6 (Group C)

Women’s:

Indonesia bt South Korea 15-4, 15-11, 15-8

Thailand bt Japan 15-3, 15-4, 15-10

August 30 Fixtures (Round One):

Men’s: Indonesia vs South Korea; Iran vs Malaysia; Singapore vs India; Japan vs Thailand

Women’s: Malaysia vs Japan; Vietnam vs Indonesia; South Korea vs India

Nasib Malaysia lebih mudah daripada musuh

 Nasib skuad Malaysia dianggap jauh lebih mudah dan baik berbanding tiga seteru utamanya, Thailand, Korea Selatan dan Indonesia atau mungkin Myanmar mulai Khamis ini.

Undian Siri Super ISTAF 1 di New Delhi, India, hanya menemukan anak buah Jamaluddin Hassan itu dengan Iran dan Amerika Syarikat dalam Kumpulan B yang tidak pernah menewaskan mereka dan berkedudukan dunia jauh lebih rendah.   

Tuah besar itu ternyata mencerahkan peluang Malaysia, pilihan kedua, mencapai sasaran jurulatihnya untuk ke separuh akhir yang bakal menemukannya dengan sama ada India atau Singapura mahupun bertembung semula salah satu lawan peringkat kumpulan tadi.

Amat berbeza buat juara bertahan dan Piala Dunia, Thailand yang perlu berentap dengan Myanmar yang cuba melakukan kebangkitan dalam arena sepaktakraw antarabangsa selepas sekian lama menyepi sepanjang Siri Super musim lalu. 

Kumpulan A ini turut meletakkan Jepun yang ranking dunianya lebih baik daripada Myanmar kerana penyertaan aktif mereka dalam Siri Super 2011-12 selain peningkatan permainan semasanya.

Mengandungi Korea Selatan, Brunei dan Indonesia, Kumpulan C menjanjikan persaingan yang seimbang bagi dua tempat teratas ke suku akhir manakala India dan Singapura perlu berentap sesama sendiri sebanyak dua kali bagi penentuan kedudukan Kumpulan D.

Atas status dan keistimewaan tuan rumah, India turut diletakkan pilihan keempat bagi kategori lelaki dan wanita di sebalik ranking sebenarnya.

Namun hasrat ISTAF (Persekutuan Sepaktakraw Antarabangsa) mendapatkan 12 pasukan lelaki dan lapan pasukan wanita apabila memulakan musim baharu 2013-14 tidak kesampaian apabila Filipina dan China menarik diri daripada kategori masing-masing pada saat-saat akhir.

Bagi kategori wanita, Thailand, juara bertahan dan dunia, menjadi batu penghalang utama Malaysia untuk mengintai tiket separuh akhir selain Jepun yang turut mengidam sekurang-kurangnya tempat kedua Kumpulan B.

Jika tuah turut mengiringi prestasi cemerlang, Malaysia berpeluang cerah memperbaiki pencapaian mengejutkan di tempat ketiga musim lalu biarpun perlu menempuh naib juara dunia, Vietnam dalam separuh akhir.

Pilihan kedua itu dijangka hanya disaingi sengit Indonesia namun tidak bermasalah untuk mengatasi Indonesia dan tuan rumah dalam Kumpulan A. 

UNDIAN SIRI SUPER ISTAF 1/2013-14 (INDIA)

Lelaki

Kumpulan A: Thailand, Jepun, 

Kumpulan B: Malaysia, Amerika Syarikat, Iran

Kumpulan C: Korea Selatan, Brunei, Indonesia

Kumpulan D: India, Singapura

Wanita

Kumpulan A: Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Korea Selatan

Kumpulan B: Thailand, Malaysia, Jepun

Aizat atau Izurin pilihan utama Malaysia?

Siapa pilihan utama jurulatih Jamaluddin Hassan sebagai tekong Malaysia dalam Siri Super ISTAF 2013-14, bakal ditentukan berdasarkan tahap lawan yang ditemui satu persatu.

Dengan sistem pertukaran pemain yang lebih terbuka, maksimum dan fleksibel, Ahmad Aizat Mohd. Nor Azmi dan Izurin Refin pasti perlu sentiasa bersedia menghadapi segala kemungkinan asalkan mampu memastikan kemenangan Malaysia.  

Hanya pengalaman antarabangsa, memisahkan mereka dengan pencapaian juara Piala EGAT di Lampang, Thailand, bulan lalu sebagai sandaran Ahmad Aizat.

Izurin, tekong kidal pula menimba pendedahan dengan kelab Chonburi dan Kalasin dalam Liga Sepaktakraw Thailand (TTL), baru-baru ini selain pernah menikmati aksi Piala Raja Thai, tahun lalu.

Pusingan pertama Siri Super ISTAF di Kompleks Sukan Indira Gandhi, New Delhi yang bermula Khamis ini, perlu dimanfaatkan kedua-duanya walaupun keserasian mereka masih perlu digilap dengan apit kiri, Farhan Adam dan apit kanan, Norshahruddin Mad Ghani atau Mohd. Kamal Alfiza Shafie.   

Jamaluddin berkata, Ahmad Aizat menjadi keutamaannya dalam Kejohanan Piala Presiden PSM di Kuala Lumpur, minggu lalu apabila servisnya cukup konsisten dan peratus kesilapannya sama ada terkeluar atau terkandas, didapati masih rendah.

“Izurin hanya bermain satu perlawanan Piala Presiden tetapi pengalaman TTLnya, masih mampu dijadikan aset apabila kami menentang lawan lebih handal seperti Thailand, Korea Selatan, Indonesia atau Myanmar. 

"Malaysia perlu ada seorang tekong kidal dan kanan. Ciri lain ialah kepelbagaian servis dan kemampuan mereka mencari sasaran yang sukar dihidu lawan," katanya.  

Thailand, juara bertahan siri ini dan Piala Dunia 2011, turut menampilkan tekong mirip musuh tradisinya itu pada muka baharu, Rattadech Noicharoen dan Sittipong Kamjan selain dua pelibas senior, Anuwat Chaichana dan Supachai Maneenat serta pengumpan utamanya, Pattarapong Yupadee.

“Pengalaman ramai pemain kita apabila kerap beraksi di Thailand, mengurangkan banyak rasa gerun mereka sebelum ini," katanya yang menyasarkan kemaraan ke separuh akhir Siri Super ISTAF di New Delhi. 

Windsor moves up the ladder in AFC

WINDSOR Paul John has been appointed Deputy General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). 

He will now assist AFC General Secretary Dato Alex Soosay in all administrative matters. Prior to his latest appointment, Windsor was the Executive Director of AFC, a position he has held since 2012.

This latest move by AFC is seen by the Asian governing body recognising Windsor’s ability in the administrative field as the man has been performing his jobs rather diligently, and with so much passion.

Of recent, football’s world governing body, FIFA, had so much of faith in Windsor’s ability too. He was appointed by Fifa to ensure that the Confederation Cup which was held from June 15-30 was managed and organised well in Brazil.

The former teacher started his career as assistant coach in Selangor under the supervision of Dato’ M. Chandran, one of the most accomplished footballer Malaysia has produced, before taking on an administrative job in the Football Association of Malaysia.

Windsor’s job scopes by Fifa also included leading a team to inspect football venues for the 2012 London Olympics. He has also written a book on Football Event Management for Fifa President Datuk Seri Sepp Blatter

Carry on the good job, Windsor!