PETALING JAYA: The national men’s team lived up to expectations by sweeping past Myanmar 5-0 in their Group D match of the Asian Team Championships in Qingdao, China, on Wednesday (Jan 4).
However, Malaysia’s opening singles player Justin Hoh was made to work hard before edging past Hein Htut 21-18, 21-19.
Eogene Ewe then doubled Malaysia’s lead with a comfortable 21-10, 21-14 win over Nyan Shaine, before national Under-21 champion Kong Wei Xiang sealed the tie by defeating Lal Zuidika 21-11, 21-11.
Although the remaining doubles matches were played merely to complete the tie, Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing still delivered a dominant performance to beat Nyan Shaine-Phone Htet 21-11, 21-9.
Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri capped Malaysia’s emphatic victory by securing the fifth point with a 21-9, 21-7 win over Phyo Thurain-Lal Zuidika.
The win also confirmed Malaysia’s place in the quarter-finals after Myanmar had earlier lost to Indonesia in the opening Group D match.
Malaysia will face Indonesia on Thursday (Jan 5) to determine the Group D winners.
