| Men's Winner | Thailand | |
| Men's Runner-Up | Malaysia | |
| Men's 3th-place | Indonesia | |
| Men's 4th-place | Korea | |
| Men's 5th-place | Brunei | |
| Men's 6th-place | Japan | |
| Men's 7th-place | Singapore | |
| Men's 8th-place | USA | |
| Men's 9th-place | Chinese Taipei | |
| Women's Winner | Thailand | |
| Women's Runner-Up | Korea | |
| Women's 3th-place | Vietnam | |
| Women's 4th-place | Indonesia | |
| Women's 5th-place | Malaysia | |
| Women's 6th-place | Japan | |
This is a site that gathers information about the sepak takraw, rules, technical and updates of sepak takraw, ISTAF.
Showing posts with label Sepaktakraw News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sepaktakraw News. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
ISTAF Super Series February 2012 Final Result
ISTAF SUPER SERIES SOUTH SUMATRA INDONESIA 2012 - THE FINALS!
MEN'S FINAL Thais see off Malaysian challenge
Malaysia got off to a quick start, but once Siriwat found his range on service, there was to be no stopping Thailand who won their second ISTAF Super Series in a row without dropping a set.
THAILAND 15-9, 15-5, 15-8 MALAYSIA
The match was an exciting contest, with the two ISTAF World Cup finalists each giving it their best shot right from the very outset. Malaysia got into their rhythm from the first service and raced into a 4-1 lead, but once the Thais hit their straps, the turnaround started. After Anuwat and Nongkha had seen plenty of court time in the group stages, it was Pornchai up front spiking and Siriwat at tekong, and both of them were on fine form in the final.
1-4 down soon became 15-9 up, and the first set was in the bag. The second turned into a sepaktakraw demonstration, with captain Pattarapong in particular saving every ball that came his way in an incredible display of agility.
There was time for a mini-fight-back in the third (and ultimately final) set when Malaysian coach Amaluddin Bin Hassan replaced star striker Norshahruddin with Mohammed Fadzli. The Malays led 7-2 when Thailand took their time-out, but seven points later at the next time-out, it was 9-7 Thailand after more unstoppable bullets from the service circle from Siriwat. The Thais ended up taking 13 of the final 14 points, the final shot being – what else? – a Pornchai roll-spike from inches over the net after a perfect set from Pattarapong.
And so the Thais go from strength to strength, but the good news is that the Malaysians are back. Much will be expected of both teams at the next ISTAF Super Series event in Singapore in early May.
WOMEN'S FINAL: Korea give Thailand a real scare!
Thailand were a point away from a 2-0 deficit but managed to turn the match around and win the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra, Indonesia 2012, after a real battle with Korea.
THAILAND 11-15, 17-15, 15-5, 15-10 KOREA
What a match that was. For half an hour, it looked as if we had the biggest upset of the ISTAF Super Series on our hands. After losing to them 3-0 in the group stage, Korea took the game to the Thais and boy, did it work! Jin Hee Lee was excellent at tekong, Kim I Seul dominated the net, Han Oul Bae blocked everything that came her way and all of a sudden, the scoreline read 15-11, 14-10 in Korea's favour!
And then, the match changed. Thai coach Veeras Na Nongkhai had started with Daranee spiking and Sunthari at tekong, but he decided to go with Payom (who had already replaced Rungtip after the latter took a ball to the face) and more importantly Wanwisa. The emblematic pony-tailed tekong steered Thailand through five set points in total, saving them all and then serving up two winners to take the set 17-15 and level the match.
The third set was one-way traffic with Wanwisa, Payom and Rungtip totally dominant. Veeras brought Daranee and Sunthari back in the fourth to close out the match and they duly did, but without the panache of Wanwisa and her cohorts. Korea fought until the end, and are a worthy number two in the ISTAF Super Series rankings. They are surely set to do battle with the Thais for a good while to come…
WOMEN'S PLAY-OFFS: Vietnam and Malaysia finish off with wins
Vietnam ensured that they kept their streak alive of finishing in the top three of every ISTAF tournament to date with a four-set win over hosts Malaysia on Sunday.
MALAYSIA 10-15, 15-10, 15-10, 15-10 JAPAN
VIETNAM 15-12, 12-15, 15-12, 15-12 INDONESIA
The crowd got behind the Indonesians throughout and spurred them on to take the second set to level the match. At this point, anything was possible but Vietnam coach Trong Thuy Nguyen has the luxury of two top-class tekongs to rotate. Trang was duly replaced by Yen, and the latter used her height and windmill serves to propel her team to third in the tournament, solidifying their third place in the ISTAF Super Series rankings and second in the World Rankings.
For the hosts, the tournament was a real success, and they will enter the Super Series Rankings in sixth place, and leap up to seventh in the world.
In the first match of the day, Malaysia proved too strong for Japan, even though they played some of their back-up squad. Striker Rahilah and tekong Fairuz remained on the bench throughout, but the remaining three of Zubaidah, Rashida and Farhana were more than strong enough for Japan. The Japanese took the opening set with Yumi playing tekong, but once she was substituted, they never managed to keep pace with the Malaysians, who secured fifth place which will see them move up to fourth in the ISTAF World Rankings and fifth in the Super Series table. Japan meanwhile will be fifth in the World and fourth in the Super Series when the new rankings are released.
by New Sepaktakraw
Malaysia got off to a quick start, but once Siriwat found his range on service, there was to be no stopping Thailand who won their second ISTAF Super Series in a row without dropping a set.
THAILAND 15-9, 15-5, 15-8 MALAYSIA
The match was an exciting contest, with the two ISTAF World Cup finalists each giving it their best shot right from the very outset. Malaysia got into their rhythm from the first service and raced into a 4-1 lead, but once the Thais hit their straps, the turnaround started. After Anuwat and Nongkha had seen plenty of court time in the group stages, it was Pornchai up front spiking and Siriwat at tekong, and both of them were on fine form in the final.
1-4 down soon became 15-9 up, and the first set was in the bag. The second turned into a sepaktakraw demonstration, with captain Pattarapong in particular saving every ball that came his way in an incredible display of agility.
There was time for a mini-fight-back in the third (and ultimately final) set when Malaysian coach Amaluddin Bin Hassan replaced star striker Norshahruddin with Mohammed Fadzli. The Malays led 7-2 when Thailand took their time-out, but seven points later at the next time-out, it was 9-7 Thailand after more unstoppable bullets from the service circle from Siriwat. The Thais ended up taking 13 of the final 14 points, the final shot being – what else? – a Pornchai roll-spike from inches over the net after a perfect set from Pattarapong.
And so the Thais go from strength to strength, but the good news is that the Malaysians are back. Much will be expected of both teams at the next ISTAF Super Series event in Singapore in early May.
WOMEN'S FINAL: Korea give Thailand a real scare!
Thailand were a point away from a 2-0 deficit but managed to turn the match around and win the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra, Indonesia 2012, after a real battle with Korea.
THAILAND 11-15, 17-15, 15-5, 15-10 KOREA
What a match that was. For half an hour, it looked as if we had the biggest upset of the ISTAF Super Series on our hands. After losing to them 3-0 in the group stage, Korea took the game to the Thais and boy, did it work! Jin Hee Lee was excellent at tekong, Kim I Seul dominated the net, Han Oul Bae blocked everything that came her way and all of a sudden, the scoreline read 15-11, 14-10 in Korea's favour!
And then, the match changed. Thai coach Veeras Na Nongkhai had started with Daranee spiking and Sunthari at tekong, but he decided to go with Payom (who had already replaced Rungtip after the latter took a ball to the face) and more importantly Wanwisa. The emblematic pony-tailed tekong steered Thailand through five set points in total, saving them all and then serving up two winners to take the set 17-15 and level the match.
The third set was one-way traffic with Wanwisa, Payom and Rungtip totally dominant. Veeras brought Daranee and Sunthari back in the fourth to close out the match and they duly did, but without the panache of Wanwisa and her cohorts. Korea fought until the end, and are a worthy number two in the ISTAF Super Series rankings. They are surely set to do battle with the Thais for a good while to come…
WOMEN'S PLAY-OFFS: Vietnam and Malaysia finish off with wins
Vietnam ensured that they kept their streak alive of finishing in the top three of every ISTAF tournament to date with a four-set win over hosts Malaysia on Sunday.
MALAYSIA 10-15, 15-10, 15-10, 15-10 JAPAN
VIETNAM 15-12, 12-15, 15-12, 15-12 INDONESIA
The crowd got behind the Indonesians throughout and spurred them on to take the second set to level the match. At this point, anything was possible but Vietnam coach Trong Thuy Nguyen has the luxury of two top-class tekongs to rotate. Trang was duly replaced by Yen, and the latter used her height and windmill serves to propel her team to third in the tournament, solidifying their third place in the ISTAF Super Series rankings and second in the World Rankings.
For the hosts, the tournament was a real success, and they will enter the Super Series Rankings in sixth place, and leap up to seventh in the world.
In the first match of the day, Malaysia proved too strong for Japan, even though they played some of their back-up squad. Striker Rahilah and tekong Fairuz remained on the bench throughout, but the remaining three of Zubaidah, Rashida and Farhana were more than strong enough for Japan. The Japanese took the opening set with Yumi playing tekong, but once she was substituted, they never managed to keep pace with the Malaysians, who secured fifth place which will see them move up to fourth in the ISTAF World Rankings and fifth in the Super Series table. Japan meanwhile will be fifth in the World and fourth in the Super Series when the new rankings are released.
by New Sepaktakraw
Saturday, February 25, 2012
ISTAF Super Series Palembang 2012 a full round-up of Day 3 action
PLAY-OFFS: Brunei take fifth, Singapore seventh
Brunei and Singapore finished off their tournaments on a high with victories in the fifth and seventh-placed play-offs.
JAPAN 9-15, 7-15, 16-17 BRUNEI
USA 16-17, 10-15, 13-15 SINGAPORE
Brunei Darussalam improved as the tournament went on and rounded it off with style. Two defeats (to the incredibly strong Korea and Thailand) on the opening day did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm, and they came roaring back with wins over Chinese Taipei and, in one of the upsets of the competition, Singapore. They then followed this up with a straight-sets win over fourth-ranked Japan on Saturday which will see them leap up to seventh in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
Brunei were two sets clear before Japan got into their stride, and even when they did, the men in silver had enough in the tank to close out a nail-biting third set where both teams saved set points before Muhd Basyiruddin spiked to give them a third victory in a row and fifth place in the tournament.
Singapore meanwhile put and to a bad run. Having lost to Brunei and then gone down very tamely to Korea on Saturday morning, relegating them to fourth in the group, they regrouped and saw off a valiant USA team to secure seventh place. The Americans were again heavily reliant on captain Tony Ontam, who often tekonged, blocked and spiked all in the space of one point. He took them to within a point of the set in the opener and to 12-8 up in the third, but Mohammed Magrib, Mohammed Farhan and Mohammed Amir knew that if they could cut down thier own errors, then mistakes would come from their oppents, and they secured the points that will take them level wi th Brunei at sixth in the rankings. USA mean while will be up to eighth and will make the long journey back home with renewed confidence.
WOMEN'S SEMI-FINALS: Thais and Koreans set up repeat of Bangkok final
korea will have another chance to take their revenge on Thailand, who defeated them in the final of the ISTAF Super Series in Bangkok and in the group stages here in Palembang.
THAILAND 15-5, 15-9, 15-6 VIETNAM
INDONESIA 4-15, 5-15, 12-15 KOREA
Saturday's two semi-finals showed that Vietnam have yet to solve the problem they have against the Thais, and that while Indonesia are a very good team, they need more matches and more experience.
Thailand were first up, and they never looked in trouble against a Vietnamese team they have now beaten at the past three tournaments. They could even afford to leave captain and tekong Wanwisa on the bench throughout, with Sunthari taking over to excellent effect. Vietnam meanwhile could not decide between the windmill serves of Yen and the move conventional style of World Cup MVP Trang. The latter fared better, getting her team to within six points of thier opponents in the second set, but that was as good as it got.
Thailand now have a remake of the Bangkok final to look forward to, after Korea cruised past Indonesia. The host nation had been on fine form in the group stages, defeating Japan and Vietnam, but thier youngsters let the occassion get the better of them on Saturday. Coach Ahmadi was forced to call a time-out mere minutes into the lie with his young charges already 6-0 down, and by the time they had conqured their nerves, they were already two sets adrift. Their day will come, however, and they have proved themselves to be more than worthy of an ISTAF Super Series slot.
Korea meanwhile will take heart ahead of Sunday's final frome the face that they had a set point against Thailand in the group stages. Can they go one step further in the title match?
MEN'S SEMI-FINALS: A World Cup Final remake!
Thailand and Malaysia have set up an ISTAF World Cup final re-make here in Palembang.
MALAYSIA 15-13, 15-8, 15-12 KOREA
THAILAND 15-5, 15-10, 15-3 INDONESIA
Home hearts were broken by the Thai performance on Saturday. With captain Pattarapong this tine playing alongside Pornchai and Sakha, they were as strong as ever. Sakha opened with an ace straight down the middle and the Thais were never header. Korean setter Jeong Wong Deuk did everything in his power to stem the tide, leaping up onto the boards on any number of occassions to retrieve the ball and even suffering an injury with two points of the match remaining. But his blood, sweat and tears were to no avail. Pornchai was on omninously good form and there was no stopping the World Champions.
They will face Malaysia in Sunday's final as the men in orange continue their incredible resurgence. Having made the final of the ISTAF World Cup on home soil they then flattered to deceive at the inaugural ISTAF Super Series event in Bangkok last September. But now they are back to their best, Norshahruddin is back and spiking like never before, and Mohammed Fadil has made the tekong role his own. Korea defended stoutly but Malaysia were just that little bit too good on all the big points. Shin Ham Young did his best as tekong but the Koreans were (ever so slightly) second best on the day.
Sunday will therefore see Korea and Indonesia battle for third place, before Thailand and Malaysia renew acquaintances in the final. And what a match that promises to be.
Credit
Author : Drew Lilley
sepaktakraw.org
Brunei and Singapore finished off their tournaments on a high with victories in the fifth and seventh-placed play-offs.
JAPAN 9-15, 7-15, 16-17 BRUNEI
USA 16-17, 10-15, 13-15 SINGAPORE
Brunei Darussalam improved as the tournament went on and rounded it off with style. Two defeats (to the incredibly strong Korea and Thailand) on the opening day did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm, and they came roaring back with wins over Chinese Taipei and, in one of the upsets of the competition, Singapore. They then followed this up with a straight-sets win over fourth-ranked Japan on Saturday which will see them leap up to seventh in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
Brunei were two sets clear before Japan got into their stride, and even when they did, the men in silver had enough in the tank to close out a nail-biting third set where both teams saved set points before Muhd Basyiruddin spiked to give them a third victory in a row and fifth place in the tournament.
Singapore meanwhile put and to a bad run. Having lost to Brunei and then gone down very tamely to Korea on Saturday morning, relegating them to fourth in the group, they regrouped and saw off a valiant USA team to secure seventh place. The Americans were again heavily reliant on captain Tony Ontam, who often tekonged, blocked and spiked all in the space of one point. He took them to within a point of the set in the opener and to 12-8 up in the third, but Mohammed Magrib, Mohammed Farhan and Mohammed Amir knew that if they could cut down thier own errors, then mistakes would come from their oppents, and they secured the points that will take them level wi th Brunei at sixth in the rankings. USA mean while will be up to eighth and will make the long journey back home with renewed confidence.
WOMEN'S SEMI-FINALS: Thais and Koreans set up repeat of Bangkok final
korea will have another chance to take their revenge on Thailand, who defeated them in the final of the ISTAF Super Series in Bangkok and in the group stages here in Palembang.
THAILAND 15-5, 15-9, 15-6 VIETNAM
INDONESIA 4-15, 5-15, 12-15 KOREA
Saturday's two semi-finals showed that Vietnam have yet to solve the problem they have against the Thais, and that while Indonesia are a very good team, they need more matches and more experience.
Thailand were first up, and they never looked in trouble against a Vietnamese team they have now beaten at the past three tournaments. They could even afford to leave captain and tekong Wanwisa on the bench throughout, with Sunthari taking over to excellent effect. Vietnam meanwhile could not decide between the windmill serves of Yen and the move conventional style of World Cup MVP Trang. The latter fared better, getting her team to within six points of thier opponents in the second set, but that was as good as it got.
Thailand now have a remake of the Bangkok final to look forward to, after Korea cruised past Indonesia. The host nation had been on fine form in the group stages, defeating Japan and Vietnam, but thier youngsters let the occassion get the better of them on Saturday. Coach Ahmadi was forced to call a time-out mere minutes into the lie with his young charges already 6-0 down, and by the time they had conqured their nerves, they were already two sets adrift. Their day will come, however, and they have proved themselves to be more than worthy of an ISTAF Super Series slot.
Korea meanwhile will take heart ahead of Sunday's final frome the face that they had a set point against Thailand in the group stages. Can they go one step further in the title match?
MEN'S SEMI-FINALS: A World Cup Final remake!
Thailand and Malaysia have set up an ISTAF World Cup final re-make here in Palembang.
MALAYSIA 15-13, 15-8, 15-12 KOREA
THAILAND 15-5, 15-10, 15-3 INDONESIA
Home hearts were broken by the Thai performance on Saturday. With captain Pattarapong this tine playing alongside Pornchai and Sakha, they were as strong as ever. Sakha opened with an ace straight down the middle and the Thais were never header. Korean setter Jeong Wong Deuk did everything in his power to stem the tide, leaping up onto the boards on any number of occassions to retrieve the ball and even suffering an injury with two points of the match remaining. But his blood, sweat and tears were to no avail. Pornchai was on omninously good form and there was no stopping the World Champions.
They will face Malaysia in Sunday's final as the men in orange continue their incredible resurgence. Having made the final of the ISTAF World Cup on home soil they then flattered to deceive at the inaugural ISTAF Super Series event in Bangkok last September. But now they are back to their best, Norshahruddin is back and spiking like never before, and Mohammed Fadil has made the tekong role his own. Korea defended stoutly but Malaysia were just that little bit too good on all the big points. Shin Ham Young did his best as tekong but the Koreans were (ever so slightly) second best on the day.
Sunday will therefore see Korea and Indonesia battle for third place, before Thailand and Malaysia renew acquaintances in the final. And what a match that promises to be.
Credit
Author : Drew Lilley
sepaktakraw.org
Friday, February 24, 2012
ISTAF Super Series Palembang 2012 a full round-up of Day 2 action
MEN Group A: Malaysia take charge
Malaysia secured top spot in the group with a thrilling win over Indonesia in a noisy encounter at the Palembang Sports and Convention Center!
MALAYSIA 15-4, 15-7, 15-5 JAPAN
JAPAN 15-6, 15-10, 16-14 USA
INDONESIA 9-15, 12-15, 15-11, 10-15 MALAYSIA
The Malaysians were very much the team of the day, defeating Bangkok semi-finalists Japan comprehensively to start proceedings off and then overcoming a partisan crowd to beat the hosts, who currently stand second in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
Things really got interesting in the third set of that match after Malaysia had taken a 2-0 lead. Indonesia substituted Victoria for Sa Abrian, a feisty tekong who celebrated every point right up at the net, staring down his opponents. Indonesia took the third set after his Malaysian counterpart faulted on two services in a row, but Mohamad Fadzli literally rose to the occasion in the fourth, spiking everything in sight to help his country record a famous victory over their local rivals. Malaysia will now face Korea or Singapore in the semis, while Indonesia will have to take on the mighty Thais.
Japan finish third in the group after a win over USA that came in straight sets but was far from straightforward. The Americans, with two newcomers in their group, warmed to their task, with Jack Harris serving with more consistency, Jeremy Mirken setting accurately and "Thai Tony" Ontam absolutely on fire, winning point after point from all parts of the court.
The Americans came so close to what would have been a richly-deserved set but came up just short. They will certainly carry a bunch of confidence over into their seventh-place play-off on Sunday against Singapore or Brunei.
Group A final standings
MALAYSIA Played 3. Points 6. Sets 9-1
INDONESIA Played 3. Points 4. Sets 7-4
JAPAN Played 3. Points 1. Sets 1-9
USA Played 3. Points 0. Sets 0-9
MEN Group B: Brunei upset Singapore
Brunei Darussalam won a see-saw five-set encounter over Singapore which opens the door for Korea to make the semis.
SINGAPORE 13-15, 15-11, 11-15, 15-12, 7-15 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
KOREA 11-15, 12-15, 12-15 THAILAND
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 15-10, 15-7, 15-9 CHINESE TAIPEI
This result sees Group B wide open, with Saturday's encounter between Singapore and Korea now a virtual quarter-final. Singapore must win and drop no more than a set, whereas Korea could even afford to lose provided that it was in five sets and still make the semi-finals. A Singaporean loss would also see them finish fourth in the group behind Brunei.
And if that is the case, then they would have only themselves to blame. They allowed five aces against a tekong (Nur Alimin) whose service rate was only 50%, and they came up short on the big points. Twice they came back from a set down but the three-man regu, with neither of the substitutes used, ran out of gas in the decider, with Brunei proving to be the fitter team.
The team from Darussalam finished off the day's proceedings with a comfortable victory over Chinese Taipei, garnering another two points which could well see them in Sunday's fifth-place play-off.
Singapore meanwhile will have to pick themselves up and produce something special on Saturday morning against a Korean team which pushed Thailand all the way. Pornchai Kaokaew was again rested for the world champions, but when you have Anuwat Chaichana who can come in and spike 21 of 22, you are not really what can be described as under-strength. Shin struggled mightily with his tekong duties against such a strong team, but the Koreans did what they do best – they defended manfully, and the seven blocks they pulled off got them to within touching distance of the champions. They will certainly start as favourites against Singapore on Saturday.
Thailand meanwhile are assured of top spot and will face Indonesia in the semis. Whoever wins the Korea – Singapore showdown meanwhile will have to take on the resurgent Malaysians – a tall order if ever there was one.
Group B current standings
THAILAND. Played 3. Points 6. Sets 9-0
KOREA. Played 3. Points 4. Sets 6-3
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM. Played 4. Points 4. Sets 6-8
SINGAPORE. Played 3. Points 2. Sets 5-6
CHINESE TAIPEI. Played 3. Points 0. Sets 0-9
WOMEN: Indonesia thrill home crowd
Two teams won both their matches on Friday, but while Thailand's victories were par for the course, Indonesia exceeded everyone's expectations and swept all before them.
KOREA 6-15, 14-16, 8-15 THAILAND
INDONESIA 10-15, 15-13, 15-8, 15-9 JAPAN
THAILAND 15-7, 15-9, 15-10 MALAYSIA
INDONESIA 15-12, 12-15, 15-10, 15-12 VIETNAM
With Vietnam having finished second and third respectively at the previous two ISTAF tournaments, they were expected to make reasonably light work of Indonesia, who came into the event ranked tenth in the world. Indeed there were fears that the hosts would also fall to fast-rising Japan who made the semis in Bangkok last September.
The local fans need not have worried. The women in blue outshone both of their opponents on Friday, battling to a pair of hard-fought four-set victories to qualify for the semis as group winners. They rode their starting three of Nur, Rike and Mega and did all the basics – serving, spiking and saving – admirably well. And it certainly helped that they were roared on by a partisan crowd.
Thailand were similarly strong, though Korea pushed them all the way, even leading 14-13 in the second set of their match. The Koreans reward for this valiant defeat is a semi-final berth versus Indonesia, while Vietnam will rue their loss to the hosts as they will now face Thailand, with both of those matches on Saturday afternoon.
Malaysia meanwhile, who also gave an excellent account of themselves against the Thais, will face Japan for fifth place on Sunday in what will be an exciting match between two attractive teams.
by New Sepaktakraw
Malaysia secured top spot in the group with a thrilling win over Indonesia in a noisy encounter at the Palembang Sports and Convention Center!
MALAYSIA 15-4, 15-7, 15-5 JAPAN
JAPAN 15-6, 15-10, 16-14 USA
INDONESIA 9-15, 12-15, 15-11, 10-15 MALAYSIA
The Malaysians were very much the team of the day, defeating Bangkok semi-finalists Japan comprehensively to start proceedings off and then overcoming a partisan crowd to beat the hosts, who currently stand second in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
Things really got interesting in the third set of that match after Malaysia had taken a 2-0 lead. Indonesia substituted Victoria for Sa Abrian, a feisty tekong who celebrated every point right up at the net, staring down his opponents. Indonesia took the third set after his Malaysian counterpart faulted on two services in a row, but Mohamad Fadzli literally rose to the occasion in the fourth, spiking everything in sight to help his country record a famous victory over their local rivals. Malaysia will now face Korea or Singapore in the semis, while Indonesia will have to take on the mighty Thais.
Japan finish third in the group after a win over USA that came in straight sets but was far from straightforward. The Americans, with two newcomers in their group, warmed to their task, with Jack Harris serving with more consistency, Jeremy Mirken setting accurately and "Thai Tony" Ontam absolutely on fire, winning point after point from all parts of the court.
The Americans came so close to what would have been a richly-deserved set but came up just short. They will certainly carry a bunch of confidence over into their seventh-place play-off on Sunday against Singapore or Brunei.
Group A final standings
MALAYSIA Played 3. Points 6. Sets 9-1
INDONESIA Played 3. Points 4. Sets 7-4
JAPAN Played 3. Points 1. Sets 1-9
USA Played 3. Points 0. Sets 0-9
MEN Group B: Brunei upset Singapore
Brunei Darussalam won a see-saw five-set encounter over Singapore which opens the door for Korea to make the semis.
SINGAPORE 13-15, 15-11, 11-15, 15-12, 7-15 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
KOREA 11-15, 12-15, 12-15 THAILAND
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM 15-10, 15-7, 15-9 CHINESE TAIPEI
This result sees Group B wide open, with Saturday's encounter between Singapore and Korea now a virtual quarter-final. Singapore must win and drop no more than a set, whereas Korea could even afford to lose provided that it was in five sets and still make the semi-finals. A Singaporean loss would also see them finish fourth in the group behind Brunei.
And if that is the case, then they would have only themselves to blame. They allowed five aces against a tekong (Nur Alimin) whose service rate was only 50%, and they came up short on the big points. Twice they came back from a set down but the three-man regu, with neither of the substitutes used, ran out of gas in the decider, with Brunei proving to be the fitter team.
The team from Darussalam finished off the day's proceedings with a comfortable victory over Chinese Taipei, garnering another two points which could well see them in Sunday's fifth-place play-off.
Singapore meanwhile will have to pick themselves up and produce something special on Saturday morning against a Korean team which pushed Thailand all the way. Pornchai Kaokaew was again rested for the world champions, but when you have Anuwat Chaichana who can come in and spike 21 of 22, you are not really what can be described as under-strength. Shin struggled mightily with his tekong duties against such a strong team, but the Koreans did what they do best – they defended manfully, and the seven blocks they pulled off got them to within touching distance of the champions. They will certainly start as favourites against Singapore on Saturday.
Thailand meanwhile are assured of top spot and will face Indonesia in the semis. Whoever wins the Korea – Singapore showdown meanwhile will have to take on the resurgent Malaysians – a tall order if ever there was one.
Group B current standings
THAILAND. Played 3. Points 6. Sets 9-0
KOREA. Played 3. Points 4. Sets 6-3
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM. Played 4. Points 4. Sets 6-8
SINGAPORE. Played 3. Points 2. Sets 5-6
CHINESE TAIPEI. Played 3. Points 0. Sets 0-9
WOMEN: Indonesia thrill home crowd
Two teams won both their matches on Friday, but while Thailand's victories were par for the course, Indonesia exceeded everyone's expectations and swept all before them.
KOREA 6-15, 14-16, 8-15 THAILAND
INDONESIA 10-15, 15-13, 15-8, 15-9 JAPAN
THAILAND 15-7, 15-9, 15-10 MALAYSIA
INDONESIA 15-12, 12-15, 15-10, 15-12 VIETNAM
With Vietnam having finished second and third respectively at the previous two ISTAF tournaments, they were expected to make reasonably light work of Indonesia, who came into the event ranked tenth in the world. Indeed there were fears that the hosts would also fall to fast-rising Japan who made the semis in Bangkok last September.
The local fans need not have worried. The women in blue outshone both of their opponents on Friday, battling to a pair of hard-fought four-set victories to qualify for the semis as group winners. They rode their starting three of Nur, Rike and Mega and did all the basics – serving, spiking and saving – admirably well. And it certainly helped that they were roared on by a partisan crowd.
Thailand were similarly strong, though Korea pushed them all the way, even leading 14-13 in the second set of their match. The Koreans reward for this valiant defeat is a semi-final berth versus Indonesia, while Vietnam will rue their loss to the hosts as they will now face Thailand, with both of those matches on Saturday afternoon.
Malaysia meanwhile, who also gave an excellent account of themselves against the Thais, will face Japan for fifth place on Sunday in what will be an exciting match between two attractive teams.
by New Sepaktakraw
Thursday, February 23, 2012
ISTAF Super Series Palembang 2012 a full round-up of Day 1 action
WOMEN: Korea outlast defiant Malaysia, Vietnam cruise past Japan
There were two women's matches on the opening day of the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra Indonesia 2012, with victories as expected for Vietnam and Korea.
VIETNAM 15-6, 15-7. 15-9 JAPAN
KOREA 15-9, 15-7, 11-15, 15-12 MALAYSIA
The finalists at the last to ISTAF tournaments – Vietnam at the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur and Korea at the Super Series in Bangkok – are expected to progress to the semis here, but Korea were made to fight all the way. Vietnam got the women's tournament under way, defeating Japan fairly comfortably. They rotated their tekongs, with Yen seemingly the senior server now ahead of Lai Thi, and her windmill services were too much for a Japan team – which had very few familiar faces in it – to cope with.
The second match was the tie of the day however, with Malaysia powering back from a two-set deficit and all but taking it to a decider. Korea looked to be cruising and decided to rest Kim Dong Hee and Kim I Seul, only for Malaysia to get the bit between their teeth in the third set. Their manager replaced Fairuz, who had been serving well but looked to be tiring, with Zubaidah at tekong, and this seemed to spark striker Rahila into life. She was a veritable points machine, blocking and spiking anything that came her way and helping her team to a 15-12 third set and 11-8 lead in the fourth. Korea then brought their big guns back and it was just enough to see them home.
Korea play Thailand on Friday in what will likely decide the winner of Group A, with the latter also facing Malaysia. Indonesia meanwhile will play their entire Group B campaign on Friday, facing Vietnam and Japan, with a place in the semis now within their reach.
MEN Group A: Indonesia into the semis
Hosts Indonesia survived an early scare to record two wins on Thursday and become the first team to book a semi-final slot in the process.
INDONESIA 15-9, 15-5, 13-15, 15-6 JAPAN
MALAYSIA 15-4, 15-1, 15-5 USA
INDONESIA 15-5, 15-3, 15-2 USA
They took the first two sets only to have Japan change tekongs and turn the tide. Kobayashi and Akaishi split the duties between them and it was enough to throw Indonesia off their stride, but with a raucous capacity crowd behind them, the hosts came back to seal victory in four.
They then returned later in the day to see off USA, who were sporting two new players – and what is more, they were both genuinely home-grown as opposed to "imports". Jeremy Merkin shows real potential as a striker while Jack Harris is solid in defence but needs to improve his tekong skills – something that the irrepressible captain Tony Ontam will no doubt help him with over the coming months.
USA suffered another defeat earlier in the day to Malaysia, who will be hopeful of a semi-final berth. To achieve that however, they will need to defeat Japan and/or Indonesia – tall orders both, with the former making the semis in Bangkok last year and the latter second in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
MEN Group B: Thailand cruise
Sepaktakraw is a game played by two teams over best-of-five sets, and at the end of the day Thailand always wins. That seems to be the case at the moment with the Thais predictably sitting atop Group B on Thursday night, having rotated their squad but still yet to so much as drop a set in ISTAF competition.
KOREA 15-10, 15-12, 15-9 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
THAILAND 15-7, 15-5, 15-7 SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE 15-3, 15-4, 15-11 CHINESE TAIPEI
THAILAND 15-2, 15-8, 15-9 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
In the morning, Thailand defeated Singapore with Pornchai Kaokaew spiking and Wirawut Na Nongkhai as tekong. Then in the afternoon they repeated the feat against a brave yet overmatched Brunei Darussalam side with Anuwat Chaichana as striker and Siriwat Sakha firing over service winners from the tekong circle. This side is so good that Kriangkrai currently cannot get in the squad… The one constant though is captain Pattarapong Yupadee, who defence and setting is beyond compare.
In the first match of the day, Korea took out an option on second place in the group with a straight-sets win over Brunei, but they will have to get past Singapore to do so. The team from the city state recorded a comfortable win over Chinese Taipei who were making their return to ISTAF competition after last year's World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, and could well be a good bet to make the semi-finals.
by New Sepaktakraw
There were two women's matches on the opening day of the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra Indonesia 2012, with victories as expected for Vietnam and Korea.
VIETNAM 15-6, 15-7. 15-9 JAPAN
KOREA 15-9, 15-7, 11-15, 15-12 MALAYSIA
The finalists at the last to ISTAF tournaments – Vietnam at the World Cup in Kuala Lumpur and Korea at the Super Series in Bangkok – are expected to progress to the semis here, but Korea were made to fight all the way. Vietnam got the women's tournament under way, defeating Japan fairly comfortably. They rotated their tekongs, with Yen seemingly the senior server now ahead of Lai Thi, and her windmill services were too much for a Japan team – which had very few familiar faces in it – to cope with.
The second match was the tie of the day however, with Malaysia powering back from a two-set deficit and all but taking it to a decider. Korea looked to be cruising and decided to rest Kim Dong Hee and Kim I Seul, only for Malaysia to get the bit between their teeth in the third set. Their manager replaced Fairuz, who had been serving well but looked to be tiring, with Zubaidah at tekong, and this seemed to spark striker Rahila into life. She was a veritable points machine, blocking and spiking anything that came her way and helping her team to a 15-12 third set and 11-8 lead in the fourth. Korea then brought their big guns back and it was just enough to see them home.
Korea play Thailand on Friday in what will likely decide the winner of Group A, with the latter also facing Malaysia. Indonesia meanwhile will play their entire Group B campaign on Friday, facing Vietnam and Japan, with a place in the semis now within their reach.
MEN Group A: Indonesia into the semis
Hosts Indonesia survived an early scare to record two wins on Thursday and become the first team to book a semi-final slot in the process.
INDONESIA 15-9, 15-5, 13-15, 15-6 JAPAN
MALAYSIA 15-4, 15-1, 15-5 USA
INDONESIA 15-5, 15-3, 15-2 USA
They took the first two sets only to have Japan change tekongs and turn the tide. Kobayashi and Akaishi split the duties between them and it was enough to throw Indonesia off their stride, but with a raucous capacity crowd behind them, the hosts came back to seal victory in four.
They then returned later in the day to see off USA, who were sporting two new players – and what is more, they were both genuinely home-grown as opposed to "imports". Jeremy Merkin shows real potential as a striker while Jack Harris is solid in defence but needs to improve his tekong skills – something that the irrepressible captain Tony Ontam will no doubt help him with over the coming months.
USA suffered another defeat earlier in the day to Malaysia, who will be hopeful of a semi-final berth. To achieve that however, they will need to defeat Japan and/or Indonesia – tall orders both, with the former making the semis in Bangkok last year and the latter second in the ISTAF Super Series rankings.
MEN Group B: Thailand cruise
Sepaktakraw is a game played by two teams over best-of-five sets, and at the end of the day Thailand always wins. That seems to be the case at the moment with the Thais predictably sitting atop Group B on Thursday night, having rotated their squad but still yet to so much as drop a set in ISTAF competition.
KOREA 15-10, 15-12, 15-9 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
THAILAND 15-7, 15-5, 15-7 SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE 15-3, 15-4, 15-11 CHINESE TAIPEI
THAILAND 15-2, 15-8, 15-9 BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
In the morning, Thailand defeated Singapore with Pornchai Kaokaew spiking and Wirawut Na Nongkhai as tekong. Then in the afternoon they repeated the feat against a brave yet overmatched Brunei Darussalam side with Anuwat Chaichana as striker and Siriwat Sakha firing over service winners from the tekong circle. This side is so good that Kriangkrai currently cannot get in the squad… The one constant though is captain Pattarapong Yupadee, who defence and setting is beyond compare.
In the first match of the day, Korea took out an option on second place in the group with a straight-sets win over Brunei, but they will have to get past Singapore to do so. The team from the city state recorded a comfortable win over Chinese Taipei who were making their return to ISTAF competition after last year's World Cup in Kuala Lumpur, and could well be a good bet to make the semi-finals.
by New Sepaktakraw
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Palembang to hold international takraw championship
Palembang will host the second round of the ISTAF Super Series from Feb. 23-27 after Malaysia was banned from hosting the championship by the International Sepak Takraw Federation (ISTAF).
Palembang organizers said they were 100 percent ready to host the games and that all contingents had arrived a few days before the tournament. The tournament will be aired worldwide by 70 broadcasters and viewed by an estimated 800 million viewers. Attendance will be free for local spectators, said organizing committee chairman Hendri Zainudin.
The championship, which will be held at the Palembang Sports and Convention Center (PSCC), will feature teams from eleven countries, including the United States, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Japan and South Korea. Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng is scheduled to open the championship.
The president of the Asian Sepaktakraw Ferderation (ASTAF), Abdul Halim Bin Kader, said that in the men’s category, the host team and the team from Thailand would be the toughest contenders, while in the women’s division, Thailand and Vietnam were the favorites.
During the recent South East Asian (SEA) Games, Indonesia won one gold, three silver and four bronzes.
Indonesia’s men’s team defeated Myanmar 3-2 and won the gold for the first time since Indonesia took part in the biennial games in 1977 and 40 years after the nation sepak takraw association was formed in 1971.
Thailand’s sepak takraw teams are still the heavyweight contenders in the region, having collected three gold medals and finishing overall champions in the recent SEA Games.
Palembang organizers said they were 100 percent ready to host the games and that all contingents had arrived a few days before the tournament. The tournament will be aired worldwide by 70 broadcasters and viewed by an estimated 800 million viewers. Attendance will be free for local spectators, said organizing committee chairman Hendri Zainudin.
The championship, which will be held at the Palembang Sports and Convention Center (PSCC), will feature teams from eleven countries, including the United States, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Japan and South Korea. Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng is scheduled to open the championship.
The president of the Asian Sepaktakraw Ferderation (ASTAF), Abdul Halim Bin Kader, said that in the men’s category, the host team and the team from Thailand would be the toughest contenders, while in the women’s division, Thailand and Vietnam were the favorites.
During the recent South East Asian (SEA) Games, Indonesia won one gold, three silver and four bronzes.
Indonesia’s men’s team defeated Myanmar 3-2 and won the gold for the first time since Indonesia took part in the biennial games in 1977 and 40 years after the nation sepak takraw association was formed in 1971.
Thailand’s sepak takraw teams are still the heavyweight contenders in the region, having collected three gold medals and finishing overall champions in the recent SEA Games.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Palembang 2012: Top quality men's line-up
While all eyes will be on the Thais in Palembang at the next ISTAF Super Series event, the governing body has managed to put together an incredibly strong field.
Five of the top six teams in the ISTAF World Rankings and nine of the top 15 have confirmed their presence at the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra Palembang 2012, which will be held from 23-26 February at the Palembang Sport and Convention Centre (PSCC).
Group 1 features Indonesia, who have a bye through to the semi-finals as the host nation. The other three teams - Japan, Malaysia and USA - will play two games each against one another to determine who comes second in the group and takes the other Group 1 semi-final slot. Japan .v. Malaysia, where the fourth and fifth-placed teams in the ISTAF Super Series rankings face off, promises to be a cracker, while the determination of the US team should never be underestimated.
In Group 2 there are two slots up for grabs but five teams. Thailand will start as red-hot favourites and then Singapore, Brunei and Chinese Taipei will all be looking to overcome Korea (No.3 in the ISTAF Super Series rankings) to make the semis.
Base on current rankings, the semis could see Indonesia versus Korea and Thailand versus Japan, but there are five other teams that will have plenty to say about that!
Five of the top six teams in the ISTAF World Rankings and nine of the top 15 have confirmed their presence at the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra Palembang 2012, which will be held from 23-26 February at the Palembang Sport and Convention Centre (PSCC).
Group 1 features Indonesia, who have a bye through to the semi-finals as the host nation. The other three teams - Japan, Malaysia and USA - will play two games each against one another to determine who comes second in the group and takes the other Group 1 semi-final slot. Japan .v. Malaysia, where the fourth and fifth-placed teams in the ISTAF Super Series rankings face off, promises to be a cracker, while the determination of the US team should never be underestimated.
In Group 2 there are two slots up for grabs but five teams. Thailand will start as red-hot favourites and then Singapore, Brunei and Chinese Taipei will all be looking to overcome Korea (No.3 in the ISTAF Super Series rankings) to make the semis.
Base on current rankings, the semis could see Indonesia versus Korea and Thailand versus Japan, but there are five other teams that will have plenty to say about that!
Palembang 2012: Competition strong in women's event
The women's event at the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra Palembang 2012, being held from 23-26 February at the Palembang Sport and Convention Centre (PSCC), will feature six of the world's top ten in what promises to be a tightly-contested tournament.
The regus have been split into two groups, with the top two in each going through to the semi-finals while the third-placed teams will play off for fifth place.
Group A features perennial powerhouses Thailand (ISTAF Super Series ranking: NO.1) against Korea (No.4) and Malaysia (No.5). Hosts Indonesia meanwhile (No.10) are also "seeded" in Group B by dint of playing at home, and will face Vietnam (No.2) and Japan (No.8).
Both groups will be incredibly tough, even though B may look the less strong of the two on paper. Though Indonesia came only 10th in the ISTAF World Cup in Kuala Lumpur last year, they will have the home crowd behind them, while Japan showed at the ISTAF Super Series event in Bangkok last September that they are currently on of the form teams in the women's game.
The regus have been split into two groups, with the top two in each going through to the semi-finals while the third-placed teams will play off for fifth place.
Group A features perennial powerhouses Thailand (ISTAF Super Series ranking: NO.1) against Korea (No.4) and Malaysia (No.5). Hosts Indonesia meanwhile (No.10) are also "seeded" in Group B by dint of playing at home, and will face Vietnam (No.2) and Japan (No.8).
Both groups will be incredibly tough, even though B may look the less strong of the two on paper. Though Indonesia came only 10th in the ISTAF World Cup in Kuala Lumpur last year, they will have the home crowd behind them, while Japan showed at the ISTAF Super Series event in Bangkok last September that they are currently on of the form teams in the women's game.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
ISTAF Super Series Tournament Dates Confirmed
ISTAF have confirmed the dates for their next three Super Series events. They will be held in Palembang, South Sumatra (Indonesia) from 23-26 February, in Singapore from 3-6 May and the final Super Series event of the 2011-2012 season in Bangkok from 28 June - 1 July.
These events will see the culmination of the 2011 - 2012 ISTAF Super Series, with points up for grabs in all three events as men's and women's regus vie for the ultimate prize.
The first of these three tournaments will be held in Palembang on the island of Sumatra, with the final two days of the tournament being broadcast live and transmitted throughout ISTAF's extensive broadcast footprint.
The Singapore Super Series event is taking place in the state-of-the-art ITE East Campus in Singapore, while the Thailand event will be held at the newly-refurbished 12500-capacity Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in the heart of downtown Bangkok.
On the court, the Men's World Rankings and the Women's World Rankings are both topped by Thailand, but there will be increased interest in whether the gap can be closed quickly. Malaysia and Indonesia are the closet challengers in the men's game, but all eyes will be on the fast-improving Japanese and Korean teams. In the women's draw, Vietnam continue to threaten the Thai dominance, but the resrugent Korean and Japanese women are matching their male counterparts stride for stride. And with three events in the space of just over four months, the rankings could change at any time.
These events will see the culmination of the 2011 - 2012 ISTAF Super Series, with points up for grabs in all three events as men's and women's regus vie for the ultimate prize.
The first of these three tournaments will be held in Palembang on the island of Sumatra, with the final two days of the tournament being broadcast live and transmitted throughout ISTAF's extensive broadcast footprint.
The Singapore Super Series event is taking place in the state-of-the-art ITE East Campus in Singapore, while the Thailand event will be held at the newly-refurbished 12500-capacity Hua Mark Indoor Stadium in the heart of downtown Bangkok.
On the court, the Men's World Rankings and the Women's World Rankings are both topped by Thailand, but there will be increased interest in whether the gap can be closed quickly. Malaysia and Indonesia are the closet challengers in the men's game, but all eyes will be on the fast-improving Japanese and Korean teams. In the women's draw, Vietnam continue to threaten the Thai dominance, but the resrugent Korean and Japanese women are matching their male counterparts stride for stride. And with three events in the space of just over four months, the rankings could change at any time.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Europe: Swiss Open coming up in March
Continental Europe is fast becoming a hotbed of sepaktakraw! After the Chicken's Cup in Cologne, Germany at the end of 2011, the Swiss Open is being held on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March in Basle.
The event will feature the creme de la creme of European sepaktakraw, with Cologue, Elmshorn, Heidelberg and Berlin coming from Germany, Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Paris from France and home teams Basle, St Gallen and hopefully Zurich. From further afield, Belgium will be represented by Ghent and Austria by Graz.
The favourites however will no doubt be the Mas Sepaktakraw Club, featuring former internationals Butra and Zabidi. The team, organised by Malaysia Airlines, won the Chicken's Cup tournament up in Cologne at the end of last year and will be the team to Beat in Basle.
The Swiss Sepak Takraw Club was formed by Reto Loeliger in 2000 after he had fallen in love with sport during various trips to Thailand and contacted ISTAF to become a member of the federation.
The Swiss national team has been involed in various tournaments around the world over the past decade, and also took part in the inaugural ISTAF World Cup in Kuala Lumpur last year, finishing a creditable 21st out of the 24 teams taking part.
The event will feature the creme de la creme of European sepaktakraw, with Cologue, Elmshorn, Heidelberg and Berlin coming from Germany, Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Paris from France and home teams Basle, St Gallen and hopefully Zurich. From further afield, Belgium will be represented by Ghent and Austria by Graz.
The favourites however will no doubt be the Mas Sepaktakraw Club, featuring former internationals Butra and Zabidi. The team, organised by Malaysia Airlines, won the Chicken's Cup tournament up in Cologne at the end of last year and will be the team to Beat in Basle.
The Swiss Sepak Takraw Club was formed by Reto Loeliger in 2000 after he had fallen in love with sport during various trips to Thailand and contacted ISTAF to become a member of the federation.
The Swiss national team has been involed in various tournaments around the world over the past decade, and also took part in the inaugural ISTAF World Cup in Kuala Lumpur last year, finishing a creditable 21st out of the 24 teams taking part.
Super Series: ISTAF announce next tournament in February 2012
The town of Palembang on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia will be the centre of the Sepaktakraw world's attention from 23 - 26 February 2012.
With the first ISTAF Super Series tournament in Thailand having set the benchmark for the new elite tournament series, the show now moves to Indonesia, where ISTAF will host the second ISTAF Super Series tournament of its inaugural season.
Officially billed as the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra, Palembang Indonesia 2012, the tournament will take place between 23 and 26 February, with the final two days of the tournament being boardcast live, and being transmitted throughout ISTAF's extensive broadcast footprint.
On the court, the Men's World Rankings and the Women's World Rankings are both topped by Thailand, but there will be increased interest in whether the gap can be closed quickly. Malaysia and Indonesia are the closet challengers in the men's game, but all eyes will be on the fast-improving Japanese and Korean teams. In the women's draw, Vietnam continue to threaten the Thai dominance, but the resurgent Korean and Japanese women are matching their male counterparts stride for stride.
UFA Sports Asia is ISTAF's exclusive global commercial and developement partner, and is responsible for re-launching the sport of Sepaktakraw, creating and overseeing delivery of the new ISTAF tournament series, and establishing ISTAF's international broadcast and sponsorship platforms.
Information about the tournament and behind-the-scenes preparation will be available here on the official website as well as on Facebook under "Sepaktakraw"
With the first ISTAF Super Series tournament in Thailand having set the benchmark for the new elite tournament series, the show now moves to Indonesia, where ISTAF will host the second ISTAF Super Series tournament of its inaugural season.
Officially billed as the ISTAF Super Series South Sumatra, Palembang Indonesia 2012, the tournament will take place between 23 and 26 February, with the final two days of the tournament being boardcast live, and being transmitted throughout ISTAF's extensive broadcast footprint.
On the court, the Men's World Rankings and the Women's World Rankings are both topped by Thailand, but there will be increased interest in whether the gap can be closed quickly. Malaysia and Indonesia are the closet challengers in the men's game, but all eyes will be on the fast-improving Japanese and Korean teams. In the women's draw, Vietnam continue to threaten the Thai dominance, but the resurgent Korean and Japanese women are matching their male counterparts stride for stride.
UFA Sports Asia is ISTAF's exclusive global commercial and developement partner, and is responsible for re-launching the sport of Sepaktakraw, creating and overseeing delivery of the new ISTAF tournament series, and establishing ISTAF's international broadcast and sponsorship platforms.
Information about the tournament and behind-the-scenes preparation will be available here on the official website as well as on Facebook under "Sepaktakraw"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)