Md Shukri Jaineh (R) goes for the kill against Cambodia in their match of the men's team double event yesterday. BT/Yee Chun Leong
Ismail Ang (R) goes for the kill against Cambodia in their Group A match of the men's team double event of the 27th SEA Games yesterday at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium B in Naypyidaw. BT/Yee Chun Leong
National sepak takraw coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak (R) during a time out. BT/Yee Chun Leong
The national sepak takraw team have delivered the perfect outgoing gift to outgoing national coach Ittiphol Chomchaissak.
Brunei advanced to the semi-finals of the men's double team event at the 27th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a 3-0 win over Cambodia in Group A yesterday in Naypyidaw.
The victory sees them finish as group leaders and ended a 12-year wait for Ittiphol in gaining a medal at the biennial Games as they are guaranteed a podium finish.
The pair of Ismail Ang and Abdul Hadi Ariffin Matazi had given the Sultanate the lead with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-18) win over Sokphearom Ream and Sovannarith Chin in the first match at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium B.
Brunei secured the triumph after the duo of Mohd Hafizzuddin Jamaludin and Md Shukri Jaineh cruised to a 2-0 (21-7, 21-11) win over Sopheap Nang and Khemrin Cheat.
Humaidi Brahim and Marzuki Munap completed the sweep for the Sultanate after overcoming the pair of Rawut Heng and Narith Ung 2-0 (21-15, 21-15) in the third match.
Ittiphol was smiling from ear to ear after the encounter and is hoping that the team will carry the momentum into the final-four.
"Like I've said yesterday, the players have got great confidence after beating Singapore. We are a better team than Cambodia and we managed to get the win," said Ittiphol, who is set to leave his position after the Games having taken it up 12 years ago.
"Some of the players were a bit slow in the game today and didn't perform though. So I had to throw in as many instructions to help them.
"We are expecting a tough game in the next round. Our opponents will be a strong team but we must try (to get the win)," he added.
"We will require our first two regu to perform and play to their best," continued the Thai national.
There were initially four teams in the group but Vietnam were forced to pull out of the competition with only two teams - four players - available.
The Sultanate had started out the event with a 2-1 win over Singapore on Tuesday.
The team is set to face either Indonesia or Myanmar in the semi-finals today. Their opponents will only be determined in the morning before the last-four matchup in the afternoon.
They are also set to compete in the double event which will begin tomorrow afternoon at the same venue.
The team had delivered the first bronze in the hoop event last Monday after finishing third with 430 points.
They were already guaranteed the bronze event prior to kickoff as there were only four teams for the competition.
