Young men’s squad set up quarter-final clash with Qatar

PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian men stayed true to form to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Team Squash Championships as Group D winners.

The youthful Malaysian side took the top spot after edging a tough Iran 2-1 before blanking Thailand 3-0 at the Cheongju International Squash Stadium in South Korea yesterday.

In a 3-2-1 order of play, world No. 253 Ong Sai Hung came good as he beat the higherranked Navid Maleksabet in the opening tie.

The 19-year-old certainly came good as he battled from 2-1 down to overcome world No. 190 Navid 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 11-3, 13-11.

Darren Rahul Pragasam then delivered the winning point by beating Alireza Shameli 11-9, 11-9, 11-9.

In the dead rubber, team captain Mohd Addeen Idrakie blew a 2-1 lead to lose 12-10, 6-11, 11-5, 7-11, 5-11 to Sajad Zareian Jahromi.

Addeen’s setback, however, didn’t dampen the team’s spirits as they returned to the court hours later to whip Thailand and seal the group winners’ status.

Siow Yee Xian made a winning debut by beating Natthakit Jivasuwan 11-7, 12-10, 11-4.

Sai Hung then sealed the deal by beating Phuwis Poonsiri 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-8 before Darren completed the win by thrashing Arnold Phatraprasit 11-6, 11-8, 11-5.

Malaysia next meet Qatar in the quarter-finals. The Qataris, who are coached by former national coach Ong Beng Hee, finished second in Group C after a surprise 2-1 defeat to Japan.

In the women’s event, Malaysia also continued their winning march by beating Taiwan and Iran with 3-0 scorelines.

They complete their Group B fixtures against second seeds Japan and Singapore today.