SONIIA AND CO STILL MAKE UBER CUP DESPITE LOSS
Malaysia whitewash Hong Kong to claim ticket to Thomas Cup Finals
ALOR SETAR: What a turnaround it has been for the Malaysian men’s team at the Asia Team Badminton Championships.
Malaysia have risen from the brink of elimination to snatch a semi-final spot – just days after starting the tournament on a sorry note with an embarrassing 3-2 defeat to Thailand.
But yesterday, with the home crowd roaring behind them, the team gave a masterclass to beat Hong Kong 3-0 in the quarter-finals at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium yesterday to seal a ticket for the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 20-27.
It was the perfect follow-up to their 5-0 thrashing of Taiwan in their final Group C tie on Thursday.
World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei led the way as he delivered a 21-15, 22-20 win over world No. 11 Angus Ng Ka Long.
Rio Olympic silver medallists Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong kept the momentum going by crushing Or Chin Chung-Tang Chun Man 21-11, 21-16 in just 28 minutes.
The stage was set for Alor Setar boy Lee Zii Jia to turn hero for the team.
And the 19-year-old didn’t disappoint the hometown crowd as he gave a rousing performance to beat world No. 14 Wong Wing Ki 21-16, 21-15.
It is the world No. 47’s biggest career scalp and it certainly showed he has the potential to succeed Chong Wei.
“I’m happy and proud to win the third point which sent the team into the semi-finals,” said Zii Jia.
“I was fearless and my mind was focused on the game. I just went out there and played with confidence.”
The 35-year-old Chong Wei was beaming with pride with how his teammates rallied
from their opening day defeat.
“We had our critics but Zii Jia and Iskandar (Zulkarnain Zainuddin) have played well since the Thailand loss,” said the three-time Olympic silver medallist.
“The teamwork was also good. We did not expect to pull off a 5-0 over Taiwan. The team have really proven themselves.
“Now, I hope the team can keep this run
going all the way to the Finals in May.”
Today, Malaysia face China for a place in the final while Indonesia meet South Korea.