Star shuttlers in Alor Setar:
Injured Khe Wei concedes doubles tie but Malaysia still have full points
ALOR SETAR: A knee injury suffered by doubles shuttler Woon Khe Wei spoiled the Malaysian badminton camp’s mood on the opening day of the Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar.
The Malaysian women’s badminton team made a flying start by beating Vietnam 4-1 in their opening Group C match yesterday.
However, Khe Wei and Vivian Hoo were forced to concede the match to their Vietnamese opponents after the former pulled out due to pain in her right knee.
The world No. 16 pair were tied at 10-10 with Nguyen Thuy Linh-Vu Thi Trang.
“I think she felt a pull on her knee and was in a bit of discomfort,” said Vivian.
“It’s a bit disappointing for us to start like this but we don’t want to risk the injury, so conceding the match was for the best.
“We’re not sure how serious it is but hopefully, she will be fine for the rest of the tournament,” she added.
The injury, however, had little bearing on the match as Malaysia had already sealed the win through the efforts of the women’s singles shuttlers.
National No. 1 Soniia Cheah beat Thi Trang 21-15, 21-17 for the opening point before Goh Jin Wei doubled the lead with a 21-11, 21-15 win over Thuy Linh.
World No. 83 S. Kisona then delivered the winning point by beating Dinh Thi Phuong Hong 21-17, 21-18.
Malaysia’s fourth point was earned by the scratch pair of Chow Mei Kuan-Goh Yea Ching, who thrashed Phuong Hong-Do Thi Hoai 21-7, 21-18.
“I was a bit nervous when I went out because I haven’t played in many team events.
“This was also the same stadium where I suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury four years ago, so I was a little fearful too.
“But the coaches and my teammates gave me good support. I wanted to win to show that I have moved on from that injury.
“It’s also good that I was given the confidence to play in third singles. I’m ready to play again if selected for the upcoming matches,” said the 20-year-old Kisona.
Malaysia’s next match will be against the Philippines. The Filipinas were hammered 0-5 by favourites Thailand.
In Group A, India laboured to a 3-2 win over Hong Kong.
Second seeds Indonesia were thrashed Singapore 5-0 in Group D.