What a historic day for Penang!
The Penang sepak takraw squad once again underlined its status as one of the sport’s powerhouses after successfully defending the team regu gold medal for the second consecutive Malaysia Games (Sukma), defeating Johor 2-1 in a thrilling final in Selangor today.
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among the Penang contingent as the state continued its impressive run in sepak takraw, with the team showing tremendous composure and fighting spirit when the pressure was at its highest.
Johor drew first blood in the opening regu, fielding Isma Hanif as feeder, Farez Nazrel as tekong and Hakkimi Shahrin as striker.
Despite facing fierce resistance from Penang’s Danial Iman Hasbullah, Nabil Afiq and Nazirul Haziq Zahid, the Johor trio held their nerve to secure a 17-14, 15-11 victory.
With their backs against the wall, Penang responded emphatically in the second regu.
The experienced trio of Irzan Nazri, Imran Fazli and Adi Syazmin produced a dominant display, brushing aside Johor’s Muhammad Nurizuan, Hazieq Saad and Luqman Haqim 15-10, 15-5 to level the tie and force a decisive third regu.
Everything was now on the line.
Johor once again seized the initiative in the decider, with Hazreez Haikal, Muhammad Qayum and Nurdanish Irfan taking the first set 15-9 to move within touching distance of the gold medal.
But Penang refused to surrender.
Hazieq Damian, Elffie Danish and Hamzi Hazry responded with a magnificent comeback, turning the tide with a 15-10 victory in the second set to send the final into a nerve-wracking decider.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Penang trio produced their best sepak takraw of the day when it mattered most.
They raced to a commanding 15-6 victory in the deciding set, sealing the gold medal and completing a remarkable 2-1 comeback over Johor.
The final point triggered an explosion of joy from the Penang camp as players, officials and supporters celebrated another memorable chapter in the state’s Sukma sepak takraw story.
The gold stays in Penang.
Haria Penang! Haria!
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi