Despite taking home the silver medal, the national team showed great fighting spirit to challenge their sleek opponents, especially in the second set, but luck was with the Thais, who were crowned champions after a 21-15, 21-19 victory.
In the first set, the national trio of Azlan Alias, Amirul Zazwan Amir, and Zarif Marican started well when they managed to tie the score at 11-11 before Thailand, with a line-up of Pansan Pichet, Yupadee Pattarapong, and Khamchan Sittipong, widened the gap.
Trailing 11-14, Malaysia’s head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun brought in Syahir Rosdi to replace Zarif in an attempt to change the match, but the gamble failed to have an effect as Thailand won the first set.
The second set saw both teams chasing each other point-for-point, with Malaysia tying the score four times, besides continuing to rotate the “tekong” while Thailand maintained their trio.
Malaysia and Thailand were tied seven times throughout the second set at 10-10, 16-16, 17-17, and 18-18. However, Thailand’s experience and composure separated the two teams as they won 21-19 to confirm the gold medal.
Speaking to reporters after the final, Ahmad Jais said his men had tried their best to compete with Thailand, who had the edge in terms of attack and defence.
He said several controversies involving the referee’s decision in the match also had an impact on the players’ focus.
“Even though we fell behind in the first set and failed to compete with them, in the second set we started to rise in terms of defence and attack, but some controversies weakened the team’s momentum to some extent, and we lost in the second set,” he said.
Meanwhile, Syahir said he and his teammates had given everything on the court to try and bring home the gold medal.
“We all know that Thailand are a strong team, so we really gave all our best at the Asian Games.”
“In this final we really fought hard, but luck was not on our side to win the gold,” said the 27-year-old player.
The match saw Thailand reclaiming the gold medal they last won in the 2014 edition of the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The bronze medal of the event was awarded to the Philippines and Vietnam, who were eliminated in the semifinals yesterday.