HOPING FOR REAL COMPETITION IN THE QUARTERFINALS

KUALA LUMPUR, (MARCH 6, 2013): Malaysia will meet Japan in the quarterfinals of the ISTAF SuperSeries FINALS 2013/14 after defeating wildcards and first-timers France 15-7, 15-1 in their last Group B match.

The second seeds emerged top of their group after defeating Singapore in their first match, but spectators expecting an easy win at the Titiwangsa Stadium were taken aback when France took a 3-1 lead in the first set. The Frenchmen’s lack of experience and exposure showed, however, and Malaysia soon levelled the score and wrapped up the set in 10 minutes.

Coach Jamaluddin Hassan replaced a largely-ineffective Izurin Refin halfway through the first set, and replacement tekong Syahir Rosdi went all out to ensure a comprehensive 15-1 win in eight minutes in the second.

“There was really no competition, but we followed France’s slow rhythm in the first set and that was the team’s mistake,” he said. “We hope to face a real test and show our true colours in the quarterfinals.”

In earlier matches, Thailand easily defeated Germany 2-0 in Group A, Korea beat USA 2-1 in Group C and Brunei overcame Iran 2-0 in Group D. All three winners qualified for the quarterfinals alongside Malaysia, Singapore, India and Indonesia.

Malaysia cruise to victory behind Khairol Zaman Hamir’s brilliant spikes against France. Malaysia won 2-0.

In the women’s competition, Malaysia beat India 15-6, 15-12 to top Group C and qualify for the semi-finals. The third seeds, who beat Japan 15-8, 15-10 in their first group match, will be joined in the semis by top seeds Thailand and Myanmar, a last-minute entry to the tournament.

The ISTAF SuperSeries FINALS 2013/14 is organised by Persatuan Sepaktakraw Malaysia and supported by the International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF). The ISTAF SuperSeries platform was created by Asia Sports Ventures, ISTAF’s exclusive global commercial and developmental partner.

The ISTAF SuperSeries FINALS 2013/14 will be televised on ASTRO Arena, ASTRO SuperSports and SuperSports HD (all in High Definition) and RTM. Selected matches including the men’s quarter-finals, third-fourth placing match and both men’s and women’s finals are to be aired live.

The tournament will also be telecast to 70 countries worldwide.

ISTAF SuperSeries 2013/14 kicked off with ISTAF SuperSeries India in New Delhi (August

29-September 1), followed by ISTAF SuperSeries Thailand in Bangkok (September 26-29) and ISTAF SuperSeries Malaysia in Sabah (October 30-November 3).

All results* (March 6, Day 2)

Men’s competition

Group A: Thailand bt Germany 2-0 (15-4, 15-4)

Group B:  Malaysia bt France 2-0 (15-7, 15-1)

Group C: Korea bt USA 2-1 (15-7, 12-15, 15-9), Korea bt Indonesia 2-0 (15-13, 15-12)

Group D: China bt Brunei 2-1 (12-15, 15-13, 15-4), Japan bt Iran 2-0 (15-12, 15-9), Brunei bt Iran 2-0 (15-9, 15-10), Japan bt China 2-1 (16-17, 15-7, 15-9)

Women’s competition

Group A: Indonesia bt China 2-0 (15-4, 15-7)

Group B: Myanmar bt Korea 2-0 (15-6, 15-13), Korea bt Vietnam 2-0 (15-13, 15-8)

Group C: Malaysia bt India 2-0 (15-6, 15-12)

* Qualifying matches for the last women’s semi-finalist slot will be played tomorrow.

Men’s quarterfinals – March 7

1) Thailand vs Indonesia

2) Korea vs India

3) Malaysia vs Japan (4pm)

4) Brunei vs Singapore

More information on ISTAF SuperSeries

Alongside the ISTAF World Cup, the elite, internationally-recognised ISTAF SuperSeries is the only sepaktakraw tournament acknowledged by ISTAF and therefore plays a key role in deciding the official ISTAF World Rankings.

Released by Shekhinah PR on behalf of Asia Sports Ventures.

For further information kindly contact:

Christopher Raj

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chris@shekhinah.my

Aaron

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aaron@shekhinah.my

Aiman

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