Inside the data-driven plot that finally broke Thailand's takraw dominance

KUALA LUMPUR: A timely timeout backed by live data proved decisive in Malaysia's 2-0 triumph over Thailand in the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men's team regu final.

When Thailand began building momentum, National Sports Institute (NSI) performance analyst Arif Aziz spotted the threat through real-time data tracking and live observation.

Noticing the Thai tekong (server) had found his rhythm, Arif immediately signalled the bench to call a timeout.

Following the stoppage, the Thai player's serve hit the net, halting their surge and helping Malaysia end a 36-year Asian Games gold drought.

"Once we identified that pattern, we signalled the coach. Just as Thailand was about to serve, we called a timeout," Arif said in an interview with BH Sukan.

"He was serving consistently at the time. Right after that, his serve hit the net."

The moment showed how sports science has evolved beyond post-match statistics and video clips into a live tactical weapon.

Arif, who has about 19 years of experience in performance analysis, including over a decade in hockey, introduced live coding using Hudl Sportscode software to the national sepak takraw squad in 2024.

"When I was given the mandate to move to sepak takraw, I brought that system over," he said.

Built around coaching needs, the system combines statistics with tactical insights across all three positions — tekong, feeder and killer — tracking accuracy, service placement, momentum, play sequences and blocking patterns.

"From those statistics, it is not just about numbers; it contains tactical planning," Arif said.

The database tracks both Malaysian players and opponents, allowing coaches to map opposing tekong service zones, feeder habits and killer attack preferences.

"For killers, we look at their preferred attack directions and how opponents set up blocks. For feeders, we identify which player pairs best with a specific killer. We show this data and video to the coaches so they can plan their strategy," he said.

Data at players' fingertips

The system extends beyond match play.

Video clips and statistics are uploaded to an iCloud database, letting coaches and players review performances on mobile phones, laptops or tablets from their hotel rooms or during recovery.

Arif said the sports science team can even check whether players open the shared files and how long they watch them.

"We can tell whether they opened it or not, and how long they watched the video," he said.

This access has turned performance analysis into a daily preparation habit rather than a post-tournament reference.

Depth of a 12-player squad

Data also helped Arif assess Malaysia's squad depth, particularly in the team regu event, which requires three trios.

He views Malaysia's main edge as having 12 quality players capable of forming multiple combinations.

"Our strength is the team regu because we have 12 good players whom we can rotate and arrange," he said.

This depth gives coaches flexibility to tailor pairings against specific opponents, backed by strong first-ball reception, versatile killers and tekong options capable of mixing high-speed serves with drop shots.

Arif said service variety was a key focus in preparing tekong Syahir Mohd Rosdi, who was known mainly for his power serves.

"Now we have changed that. We vary his serves," Arif said, adding that speed alone is not the sole measure of a tekong, as consistency and variation are equally vital.

To sharpen this, NSI used radar guns to measure serve speeds and ran zone-based accuracy tests to design targeted training programmes.

Breaking the psychological barrier

For NSI sports psychologist and men's sepak takraw sports science team head Ahmad Hishamudin Beraim, data was vital in building players' self-belief against Thailand.

He pointed to Malaysia's double gold medal win over Thailand in the regu and doubles events at the 2024 World Cup in Kuala Lumpur as the turning point.

"2024 was the turning point. Perhaps that opened up the mentality of the other athletes in the team. If they could do it, why couldn't we?" Hishamudin said.

Malaysia maintained that momentum at the 2025 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur, winning gold in the regu and quadrant events, alongside silver in the doubles and team regu, before ending a 34-year wait for SEA Games men's team regu gold in Thailand in 2025 with a 2-1 victory over the hosts, plus a 2-0 win over Vietnam in the men's regu final.

The squad followed up with the 2026 World Cup team regu title before completing its resurgence at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, winning the event for the first time since Beijing 1990.

Hishamudin said presenting objective data convinced players they were on par with Thailand.

"The data showed they (Thailand) could serve at 70 to 80 kilometres per hour, and we actually could too. That data was important to prove to the athletes that their abilities were equal, so there was no need to fear," he said.

However, he stressed that the breakthrough stemmed from a maturing domestic ecosystem, including a decade-old local league and exposure to foreign imports from Thailand, Indonesia and Japan, rather than sports science alone.

"Sepak takraw's performance over the past three to four years is the result of a comprehensive ecosystem. At NSI, we merely empower and strengthen what the ecosystem has already built," Hishamudin said.

Psychology, recovery and preparation

NSI's support also covers sports psychology, exercise physiology, nutrition, strength and conditioning, biomechanics and sports medicine.

Hishamudin said psychological training focuses on emotional control and pre-service routines — such as breathing techniques, self-talk and personal rituals — to maintain focus under pressure.

He added that killer Mohamad Azlan Alias's habit of reciting something before serving acts as a calming routine.

"That is a routine that helps psychologically," Hishamudin said.

On the physical front, NSI upgraded its recovery protocols after lessons from the 2025 SEA Games, where players competed in multiple events on consecutive days.

Measures include recovery boots, ice baths, pre- and post-match jump tests to monitor muscle fatigue, and daily morning urine tests by sports nutritionists to track hydration.

Injured players also receive tailored rehabilitation and physiotherapy.

Looking ahead, Arif said NSI plans to upgrade its analysis system and explore artificial intelligence-based training tools to help players counter opponent attacks, while Hishamudin said full-year performance data will be presented to coaches to guide future preparations.

NSI's sepak takraw sports science team — Ahmad Hishamudin Beraim (Sports psychologist), Muhammad Arif Hakim Muhd Dusuki (Exercise physiologist), Arif Aziz (performance analyst), Saifurizan Mohamad (Strength and conditioning coach), Adi Farizzul Mohad Kamil (Sports nutritionist), Muhammad Izwan Muhd Zawaki (Biomechanist).

Core sports science support areas

Sports psychology: High-pressure mental management (deuce/critical points), imagery, breathing control, self-talk, refocusing and on-court communication between the players.

Exercise physiology: Aerobic and anaerobic energy profiling, heart-rate and physiological stress monitoring, and rapid recovery protocols between back-to-back matches.

Performance Analysis: Quantitative video and tactical analysis, player profiling (serve success, feeding accuracy, spiking efficiency) and opponent scouting reports.

Biomechanics: Kinematic and kinetic movement analysis, force optimisation for kick speed, and landing-impact assessment to prevent knee, ankle and spinal injuries.

Sports Nutrition: Individualised energy and metabolic meal plans, hydration and electrolyte management to prevent cramping, and doping-compliant nutrient timing and supplementation.

Strength and Conditioning: Weight and plyometric training for explosive jump height and core power, lateral agility and footwork speed, and scientific warm-up and cool-down routines.