Pakistan through to regu final

Underdogs beat Macau in straight sets.

KARACHI: Pakistan defeated Macau 3-0 in the 26th King’s Cup World Championship 2011 to book their place in the men’s regu final in Bangkok.

Pakistan, represented by Shabbir Ahmed, Syed Asif Ali and Adnan Ahad, took the first set 15-10 and despite early jitters in the second, managed to win it 15-13 to double the lead.

The win was sealed in convincing manner when the third set was won 15-8.

Pakistan will face either Australia or Cambodia in the final on Thursday.

Pakistan Sepak Takraw Federa­tion (PSTF) has sent a 10-member team to the tournament considered to be the most prestigious event in the sport with 24 top nations competing.

“Beating Macau is a big feat for Pakistan,” PSTF President Javed Yousuf told The Express Tribune. “We are beating them as their own game. Our players have improved and after this tournament we will get into the top 15 rankings too.

“I am proud of this men’s team because they were the underdogs here.

“These players have put up through a lot to get here. Some didn’t even have the money to get to Bangkok and each player paid for his own expense and that says a lot about their passion for a sport that people don’t even know about here.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th,  2011.