Nagoya: The national men's sepak takraw team opened their Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games campaign with a 3-0 win over hosts Japan in their opening Group B team regu match at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, playing without main striker Muhammad Noraizat Nordin, who was ruled out with an injury, the national squad still produced a convincing performance to secure their first point in the group competition. Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim replaced Noraizat after the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation (PSM) submitted a player replacement request to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) through the Olympic Council of Malaysia (MOM).

Malaysia's first trio of Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Mohamad Azlan Alias, and Farhan Adam opened proceedings with a 2-0 victory to give the country their first point. The next two trios maintained the momentum, winning 2-0 and 2-1 respectively to seal a 3-0 victory over Japan.

The win gave the national squad a positive start as they now turn their attention to their second Group B match against the Philippines tomorrow.