Malaysia topple Qatar to set up semis tie with Pakistan

The Malaysian men rose to the occasion as they toppled third seeds Qatar to reach the semi-finals of the Asian Team Squash Championships.

It was down to Darren Rahul Pragasam to play the hero’s role as he beat a higher ranked Syed Azlan Amjad to help Malaysia to a 2-1 win at the Cheongju International Squash Stadium yesterday.

The 18-year-old, who is ranked No. 155 in the world, clinched an impressive 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7 win over world No. 142 Syed Azlan in the deciding match.

Earlier in a 1-3-2 order of play, Qatar had stormed into the lead after world No. 35 Abdulla Al Tamimi proved too strong for team captain Mohd Addeen Idrakie in an 11-7, 11-8, 11-5 win.

Malaysia however, levelled the tie when Ong Sai Hung thrashed Abdulrehman Salim Yousaf Al Malki 11-2, 11-3, 11-9.

That set the stage for Darren to redeem himself after his failure in the team event at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year.

Then, Darren was a bundle of nerves as he lost a crucial match to Rafa Yam of the Philippines which resulted in Malaysia’s shocking semi-final exit.

“I’m definitely happy that I’m able to get the winning point as the pressure got to me a little bit,” said Darren.

“I wasn’t really thinking about redemption and I’m just happy that as a team we’re through and I was able to help out in some way.”

Malaysia now go on to meet 15-time champions Pakistan, who progressed by beating Singapore 2-0, in the semi-finals.

The other semi-final will be between top seeds Hong Kong and Iran.

Malaysia’s women’s team emerged as Group B runners-up to progress to the semi-finals.

They crushed Singapore 3-0 with the trio of Ooi Kah Yan, Lai Wen Li and Chan Yiwen delivering the points.

But third seeds Malaysia fell short against Japan in their last group tie, losing 2-1.

Satomi Watanabe gave Japan the lead by beating Kah Yan 11-8, 11-6, 11-3 before Ma Si Yi levelled by beating Risa Sugimoto 7-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-3.

In the deciding rubber, an injured thumb to Yiwen put paid to Malaysia’s hopes as she lost 12-14, 3-11, 2-11 to Misaki Kobayashi.

Malaysia now face top seeds Hong Kong in the last four while Japan take on South Korea.