Selangors singles po er team to final

FAVOURITES Selangor rode on the strength of their men’s singles to whip Malacca 3-0 and check into the men’s badminton team final.

The defending champions were given an early scare after Soo Teck Zhi was forced to go the distance before beating Bong Guang Yik 21-18, 14-21, 21-19 in the opening tie at the Sibu Indoor Stadium.

Soong Joo Ven (pic) then made it 2-0 by thrashing Aaron Chia 21-15, 21-6 before R. Satheishtharan sealed the win by beating Mohd Syafiq Sanusi 21-9, 21-13.

Selangor will meet Penang, who defeated Kedah 3-1, in the final.

“The team is doing really well and we’re looking forward to the final. Hopefully, we can win the team title again,” said world No. 80 Joo Ven.

“We really want to win it because this is the last Sukma for a few of us.”

There was double joy for Selangor when their women’s team upset defending champions Federal Territories (FT) 3-2 to reach the final.

M. Thinaah and Lee Zhi QingPayee Lim Peiy Yee had twice levelled the score for Selangor after FT had gone ahead through Ho Yen Mei and Goh Yea Ching in the first and third singles.

Thinaah then returned to court to partner Teoh Mei Xing to defeat Yea Ching-Peck Yen Wei 21-12, 25-23 for the winning point.

Selangor will meet Penang, who overcame Perak 3-1, in the final.