Titans, Warriors gain crucial points

Melaka Titans finally registered only their second win of the season after defeating Kedah Eagles 2-0 in their Ekspres Perdana Sepak Takraw League (STL) 2016 match at the Serdang Jaya Municipal Council Stadium, today.

After the Titans endured a horrendous October and November with back-to-back defeats, they finally began the last month of the season on the right track as they swept Eagles aside within only 46 minutes of the match.

The last time both these sides met in the reversed fixture, the results favoured Eagles as they went home with a 2-1 (14-21, 21-15, 21-14) victory.

Riduan Ramli, coach of Titans chose Zarlizan Zakaria (feeder) in place of the experienced Lutfi Asiman, accompanied by Azwan Yahya (striker) and national “tekong” player, Sahidan Ali.

The trio combined well after going down early in the first set to comeback against all odds to claim the first set with a 21-18 win. In the second set, the trio refused to remove their feet of the pedal when they strolled to an early lead and dominated throughout, hampering Eagles trio Nazirul Akram Razali (tekong), Zuleffendi Sumari (feeder) and Shahrol Nizam Romli (striker) any chances of producing a comeback.

Titans then, went on triumphant mood as they cruised to a 21-13 win to finally have a taste at victory after their only win previously was in the opening match of the season against ATM Guardians, late September. 

This win could prove the difference as the season approaches the end with the Titans currently occupying bottom place, in fear of relegation with only three matches remaining in the season.

The day’s second match saw Kelantan Warriors scramble for vital points as they move away from relegation place into sixth (Eagles dropped into seventh), with a 2-0 win against Johor Tigris.

Warriors’ trio Khairul Hisham Yusoff (tekong), Aidil Aiman Zawawi (feeder) and Naim Izani Noor (striker) started the match brightly and gave no chance for the Tigris to play their game as they snatched a 21-16 victory.

However, they lost their foot in the second set early on allowing the trio from the South, Amirul Asyraaf Khairul (tekong), Lutfil Azmi (feeder) and Norhafizi Razak (striker) to dominate the set. Warriors then got hold of themselves as they powered back towards the end to go home with a hard-fought 22-20 victory.

Today’s defeat will have landed a dent on Tigris hopes of catching up with ATM Guardians for the last play-off spot. They will now look forward to their next match tomorrow against Kuala Lumpur Thunder currently in third spot who will be looking to bounce back after yesterday’s defeat at the hands of Guardians.