Indonesia Sets Up Gold-Medal Showdown Against Japan in Sepak Takraw

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s men’s quadrant sepak takraw team stands on the brink of Asian Games glory after booking a spot in the gold-medal match against host nation Japan, following a straight-sets semifinal victory over Myanmar on Friday, October 2, 2026.

The Indonesian squad delivered a disciplined performance at Mizuho Park Stadium in Mizuho, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan to secure a 15-13, 15-9 win, positioning the nation for a potential top-podium finish at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Team captain Muhammad Hardiansyah Muliang attributed the decisive victory to tactical cohesion, strategic service variations, and strong defensive execution under the guidance of head coach Abdul Gani.

"Alhamdulillah (All praises to Allah), we secured the win against Myanmar thanks to team unity, mutual support, and our coaches' guidance. No matter who the opponent is, we are always prepared," Hardiansyah said following the match, as quoted by Antara.

Despite trailing early in the contest, the Red and White squad mounted a steady comeback in both sets. Hardiansyah noted that disruptive serving tactics proved vital in breaking Myanmar's rhythm and building late leads.

"The key was our service game and service variations, which made it difficult for the opponent to anticipate our plays. That allowed us to pull ahead point by point and open up a three-point cushion in the final set," Hardiansyah explained.

Indonesia will face host nation Japan in the championship final on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Japan advanced to the final after defeating India 2-0 in the other semifinal fixture.

In contrast, the Indonesian women’s quadrant team saw its final hopes dashed earlier in the day following a straight-sets semifinal defeat against Thailand. The squad secured a bronze medal, bringing Indonesia’s overall sepak takraw tally to three bronzes alongside earlier podium finishes in the men’s and women’s team regu events. ***