PETALING JAYA: The shuttlers’ bid to end Malaysia’s disappointing run in major junior events got off on the right note in the World Junior Championships.
Led by Eogene Ewe and Mohd Faiq Masawi in the men’s singles, Malaysia swept aside Poland 4-1 and Austria 5-0 in their first two Group C matches in the mixed team event in Spokane, the United States, on Monday.
Eogene led the team against Poland while Faiq got the first taste of action against Austria.
The only blemish in the opening day was the 21-9, 11-21, 21-18 loss of Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu in the girls’ doubles against Polish pair Anna Czuchra-Joanna Podedworny.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) acting development director Joanne Quay was pleased that every player in the squad received a run out.
“It was a good start to our team matches. Everyone in the squad had a chance to play a match at least,” said Joanne.
Malaysia last won a medal in 2018 through Goh Jin Wei (gold, girls’ singles) and Pearly Tan-Toh Ee Wei (silver, girls’ doubles).
The team will next face Latvia. The other team in the group are England.
Only the team that finish top of the group can qualify for the quarter-finals.
RESULTS
Group C
Malaysia beat Poland 4-1 (Bryan Goonting-Chan Wen Tse bt Jan Wilczak-Anna Czuchra 21-10, 21-9; Eogene Ewe bt Mateusz Golas 21-12, 21-8; Ong Xin Yee bt Joanna Podedworny 21-9, 21-15; Bryan Goonting-Aaron Tai bt Mateusz Golas-Jan Wilczak 21-10, 21-8; Chan Wen Tse-Chong Jie Yu lost to Anna Czuchra-Joanna Podedworny 19-21, 21-11, 18-21).
Malaysia beat Austria 5-0 (Low Han Chen-Chong Jie Yu bt Jakob Rinner-Sarah Dlapka 21-12, 21-7; Mohd Faiq Masawi bt Pascal Cheng; Siti Zulaikha Azmi bt Anja Rumpold 21-13, 21-7; Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Ilija Nicolussi-Jakob Rinner 21-6, 21-10; Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Lena Krug-Chiara Rudolf).
