Scratch pairs give good account of themselves despite team defeat
ALOR SETAR: They were the least expected to deliver but scratch pairs of Vivian Hoo-Tee Jing Yi and Chow Mei Kuan-Goh Yea Ching provided the biggest cheers for Malaysia despite losing 3-2 to Thailand in the Asia Team Badminton Championships.
Vivian-Jing Yi were only paired together after the former’s regular partner – Woon Khe Wei – suffered a knee injury on Tuesday.
But Vivian-Jing Yi played like seasoned partners as they pulled a stunner to beat world No. 21 Chayanit Chaladchalarm-Phataimas Muenwong 21-19, 16-21, 21-15 at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium yesterday.
The win helped Malaysia level the score at 1-1 after Thailand had surged ahead with world No. 12 Nitchaon Jindapol beating Soniia Cheah 21-14, 21-15 in the first singles.
“I’m not sure if the Thais were surprised with the result because I know that we surprised ourselves with this win,” said Vivian.
“It wasn’t so smooth partnering Jing Yi for the first time but we definitely improved a lot and our combination is getting better.”
Jing Yi, who celebrated her 27th birthday yesterday, said: I’m happy with the way we played because we were the underdogs.
“The pressure was on the opponents and we prepared well for this match.
After Vivian-Jing Yi’s stirring performance, the younger duo of Mei Kuan-Yea Ching rose to the occasion by outpacing former world No. 9 Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-15, 21-15.
That win kept Malaysia in the contest after Goh Jin Wei had lost 19- 21, 17- 21 to Pornpawee Chochuwong in the second singles tie.
“Our plan was to move the shut- tlecock more and target Sapsiree because we knew she had just come back from an injury,” said Mei Kuan.
“The plan worked to perfection and Yea Ching really played well today.
Malaysia however couldn’t capitalise on the pairs’ fine form as Lim Yin Fun gave a good account of herself before losing 21-23, 21-23 to Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the deciding match.
Malaysia wrapped up the group tie as the runners-up to Thailand.
They will face South Korea in the quarter-finals today and will meet either China or the Thais again if they progress to the semi-finals. They need to beat the Koreans for an automatic spot to the Uber Cup Finals in May in Thailand.
The other quarter-final matchups are between top seeds Japan and Taiwan; and Indonesia versus India.