2026 Thai King's Cup: Malaysia To Field Mix Of Seniors, Young Talents

KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will field a second-string squad comprising a blend of experienced players and young talents for the 2026 King's Cup Sepak Takraw Championship in Bangkok in August.

National head coach Ahmad Jais Baharun said the prestigious tournament would serve as the ideal platform to provide international exposure to players who did not have the opportunity to compete in the 2026 Sepak Takraw World Cup recently.

“This is a very important platform for young players to gain early exposure so that they are better prepared to shoulder national duties in future tournaments.

“It is also the best opportunity for them to prove their capabilities and showcase their best performances,” he said when met at a ceremony here yesterday (Monday) to honour the national sepak takraw squad for their success at the recent World Cup.

According to Ahmad Jais, the move is also part of the national team's long-term planning to develop a new generation of players and ensure continuity in the squad as senior players grow older.

He said the players selected for Thailand in the tekong position are Muhammad Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican, Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam, Mohd Fahmi Khalid and Zuhri Muhammad Din.

Those listed for the right striker position are Hafizul Hayazi Adnan, Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin, Muhammad Wazir Madi and Muhamad Nazrein Daniel Mohd Kamal Mustafa.

The left striker position will be filled by experienced player Zuleffendi Sumari alongside several young talents, namely Jefri Ahmad, Zulfikri Wajawa, Fetri Azwadi and Muhammad Kamarul Ezzad Kamarul Imran.

Commenting on the challenge posed by hosts Thailand, Ahmad Jais expects fierce competition as the traditional rivals will be determined to make amends after Malaysia beat them to capture the team regu gold at the World Cup.

He said Malaysia will compete in three events: regu, quadrant and team regu.

For the regu and team regu events, the target is to reach the final, while the youthful quadrant squad is expected to finish among the top four teams.

-- BERNAMA