Jin Wei one step from M’sia’s first YOG gold
KUALA LUMPUR: National women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei is close to delivering Malaysia’s first gold medal in 2018 Youth Olympic Games after advancing into the badminton final in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Thursday( Friday in Malaysia).
Jin Wei, the third seed, pulled off a major upset by knocking out top seed, Phittayaporn Chaiwan of Thailand, 19-21, 21-15 and 21-13 in the semi- finals at Tecnopolis, according to the Olympic Games website, www.olympic.org.
She will meet WangZhiyi of China for the gold medal match on Friday ( Saturday in Malaysia) after the second seed defeated Jaslyn Hooi Yue Yann of Singapore, 21-11 and 21-10 in the other semi- final match.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian junior hockey team emerged as Group A runners-up after edging Poland 4- 3 in their last group match.
In the match at Youth Olympic Park, Malaysia took a 2- 0 lead vi a f ield goal s from Mohd Akhimullah Anuar Esook and Amirul Hamizan Azahar in the first and second minute before Poland replied with three quick f ield goals – Gracjan Piotr Jarzynski in the sixth minute, Eryk Bembenek (seventh minute) and Michal Nowakowski in the 11th minute.
Malaysia, however, managed to bounce back and score two more goals via field goals from Syarman Mat Tee and Mohd Akhimullah in the 15th and 16th minute respectively.
In another Group A match, Zambia whitewashed Vanuatu 17- 1 whi le hosts Argent ina continued their unbeaten run in the preliminary round by defeating Mexico 3- 0.
The national junior side will play Austria in the quarterfinals on Friday ( Saturday in Malaysia) . Austria f inished third behind India and Australia after the completion of Group B preliminary matches. — Bernama