ASIAN CUP 2025: FAIR DRAW BUT MAJOR HURDLES REMAIN - AHMAD JAIS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Despite describing the Asian Cup 2025 draw as balanced, national sepak takraw squad head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun stressed that his team would not underestimate the fierce challenge from other countries because this tournament is expected to be more challenging than the World Cup Malaysia hosted last year.

However, Ahmad Jais remains optimistic as the team's preparations are now at their best and ready to perform brilliantly before home fans from May 10 to 18 at the Titiwangsa Stadium.

"I see this draw as quite balanced but there are major challenges ahead compared to the last World Cup.

bootstrap slideshow

"We are currently preparing to further strengthen the team for the Asian Cup and will do our best in the tournament this time," he said when met after the 2025 Asian Cup draw ceremony held at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL), yesterday.

He added that the team's chances of winning the championship in the regu and doubles events like in the 2024 World Cup are better because the players have potential and it is a trust that needs to be carried with full dedication on that prestigious stage.

"We see this as a big challenge and it is the responsibility of every player selected to play in the Asian Cup this time," he said.

When asked about the traditional enemy, Thailand, Ahmad Jais said the momentum of the national squad's improved performance in recent times showed positive development and was a good sign ahead of the action in the Asian Cup.

He said thorough preparations and the increasingly strong line-up of players, give Malaysia the best chance to snatch the championship from seeded teams such as Thailand.

The event, which also saw the participation of several major sepak takraw powers, is divided into four events, namely regu, quadrant, doubles and team regu.

For the regu event, Malaysia was drawn in Group D with the Philippines, Nepal and Singapore, while for the team regu, Malaysia was in Group B with South Korea, Brunei and Japan.

In the quadrant event, Malaysia was also drawn in Group B with the Philippines, Japan and China, while for the doubles event, Malaysia was in Group B with Thailand, Taiwan and Nepal.

-- BERNAMA