INCHEON: Malaysia will meet Hong Kong in both the men’s and women’s team semi-finals at the Yeorumul Squash Courts today.
Yesterday, the men’s team beat India 2-1 to emerge as Group A champions. As runners-up, India will take on Group A winners Kuwait.
Both Malaysia and India had already qualified for the last four and the clash was to decide the group winners.
Malaysia paraded their best line-up, with Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan going up against Harinder Pal Singh. Nafiizwan gave Malaysia a flying start, winning 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4.
Veteran Mohd Azlan Iskandar was next on court. Coming out of retirement to play in these Games, Azlan showed he has not lost his touch by beating Kush Kumar 12-10, 11-7, 5-11, 12-10.
In the last tie, singles bronze medallist Ong Beng Hee retired after losing the first two sets 11-9, 11-3 to Mahesh Mangoanker.
Malaysia team manager Robert Lau said there was nothing wrong with Beng Hee and they did not want to overtax the 34-year-old in the dead rubber.
“The Indians too agreed not to play the third set as we had already won the match,” he said.
The Malaysian women’s team easily outplayed South Korea to top Group A.
Having already qualified for the semi-finals, defending champions Malaysia rested singles gold medallist Nicol David.
Playing the first tie, Delia Arnold outplayed Yang Yeon-so 11-3, 11-3, 11-7. Youngster Vanessa Raj secured the winning point for Malaysia by beating Lee Jin-yun 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.
Low Wee Wern, the singles silver medallist, then wrapped it up with an 11-8, 11-7, 11-4 win over Song Sun-mi.
India and South Korea will contest the other semi-final.
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