ALOR SETAR, 10 Feb 2018:
The national badminton squad was stopped 1-3 by China in the men’s team semi-finals of the 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) at Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Suka Menanti today.
Nonetheless, the national squad had met its mission by qualifying for the final round of Thomas Cup in Bangkok, Thailand from May 20 to 27.
In the semi-final match, Lee Zii Jia – who was given the task of playing in the first singles after Datuk Lee Chong Wei was rested – lost to China’s Shi Yiqi 18-21, 9-21.
“I felt very tired after several tough matches and besides Shi Yiqi who is an up and coming player, is no easy meat.
“I am disappointed I could not deliver the first point today. After this I will resume training to get better prepared for Thomas Cup in May.”
Apart from Zii Jia, another singles player Soong Joo Ven also tamely went down to Qiao Bin 17-21, 8-21 while Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi were dismissed by Han Chengkai-Zhou Haodong in 15-21, 13-21.
Malaysia’s only point was clinched by Rio Olympics silver medalists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong who disposed off He Jiting-Tan Qiang 21-18, 21-12.
Malaysia confirmed their slot in the Thomas Cup Finals on merit after beating Hong Kong 3-0 yesterday and sailed into 2018 BATC semi-finals.
This performance was an improvement compared to the inaugural edition in Hyderabad, India two years ago – when the national squad crashed out in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, China singles chief coach, Xia Xuanze said his squad of young players was lucky to advance to BATC final.
“We are very lucky to go into the final. Actually we came here to expose our young players. Going into the final is a bonus for our team.
“Luckily, Chong Wei did not play today…it would be difficult for us if he plays as the first singles.”
In another semi-final match, Indonesia beat South Korea 3-2 to enter the BATC final .
Jonatan Christie collected Indonesia’s first point by outplaying Son Wan Ho 21-18, 21-14 followed by doubles pair Mohamad Ahsan-Angga Pratama who whipped Chung Eui Seok-Seo Seung Jae 21-8, 21-10.
However Jeon Hyeok Jin kept South Korea’s hopes alive when he subdued Ihsan Maulana Mustofa 21-17, 21-16 in the second singles.
South Korea equalised the score when Indonesian pair, Rian Agung Saputro-Hendra Setiawan lost to Choi Solgyu-Kim Dukyoung 21-11, 18-21, 19-21.
Firman Abdul Kholik was the toast of the Indonesian squad he grabbed the last point by beating Lee Dong Keun 22-20, 11-21, 22-20 for Indonesia to meet China in the men’s team final tomorrow.
– Bernama