KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST, 2011: Sepaktakraw Association of Malaysia (PSM) president Datuk Ahmad Ismail remains confident that Malaysia can win at least a gold medal in the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia.

"I have high hopes that the team will bring back a gold medal from Indonesia," he told reporters here today.

He said the 0-3 loss to Thailand in the final of the Istaf World Sepaktakraw Championships 2011 was not the true potential of the national regu.

"Lack of mental strength and tension were reasons for the team's failure to match their opponents," he said.

He said the efforts of Malaysian players to block Thailand's 'killer' Pornchai Kaokaew who was capable of jumping high to execute his smashes was not effective.

"We may need a special programme to train our very own 'killer' Norshahruddin Mad Ghani to emulate the technique used by the 'killer' from Thailand," he said.

Ahmad said the men's team currently undergoing training in Penang since Aug 7, would continue their training until Aug 22.

"Starting Aug 17, the team will compete in a Five-Cornered tournament featuring Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand Navy Club and Penang.

"After Hari Raya Aidilfitri the team will spar with Thailand, to prepare for the ISTAF Super Series in Bangkok, Thailand from Sept 8-11," he said.

The players will then compete in the Thai King's Cup before returning to continue their preparation for the SEA Games.

-Bernama