Regu Team Defeat A Lesson For Tonight's Event - Ahmad Jais

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The defeat of the national regu team at the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup should serve as a valuable lesson for players to come back stronger in the regu team event, which begins this evening.

National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun said the loss carries its own hidden blessing and should remind players not to grow too comfortable with their previous successes.

"What happened has a silver lining. It's a sign that our players must be ready from the very start so we can deliver more consistent performances," he told reporters after yesterday's quadrant event final.

Earlier, the national regu team suffered a shock 0–2 defeat to Myanmar in the World Cup regu team event semi-final, ending hopes of seeing Malaysia compete in the final.

However, Malaysia bounced back from that disappointment by winning the quadrant event, defeating India 2–0 in the final yesterday.

Ahmad Jais attributed the victory to steady improvements in player performance over time and to their ability to handle pressure during matches.

"When you look at player performance, there's been a lot of progress from one tournament to the next. The players delivered their best even under pressure, and we hope they will stay focused for the team event," he said.

He added that tactical aspects, particularly the blocking system, were key factors in the quadrant team's success. The players have adapted well to their opponents' modern playing style.

"However, there are still some elements we need to fine-tune, especially in terms of blocking to close the gaps between the three players," he said.

When asked about the challenges in the team event, Ahmad Jais said the national squad will need to redouble their efforts as they face two main contenders, India and Myanmar, in the group stage.

"In our first match, we will take on India, and in the final group match, we will face Myanmar. We need to put in extra energy, effort and determination to secure victories and qualify for the semi-finals," he said.

Malaysia has been placed in Group B for the regu team event alongside India and Myanmar.

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