SHAH ALAM: The first time felt so good, that national junior shuttler Kong Wei Xiang (pic) had to do it twice.
The 17-year-old was the difference maker again for Penang as his win in the final match helped them beat the Federal Territories 3-2 to top Group B of the Malaysia Games (Sukma) badminton men’s team event yesterday.
“I’m happy to help my team,” said Wei Xiang after the match at the Setia City Convention Centre.
The Penangites had failed to win both the doubles matches against the Federal Territories, who were the runners-up of the last Games in Kuching.
This meant that Wei Xiang’s match against Yee Tian Ci was pivotal to keep his team’s medal hopes alive and the world No. 270 took the pressure in his stride to win 21-5, 21-13.
He had previously found himself in the same precarious position during their second group game against Sarawak, where a potential shock defeat to the east Malaysian side loomed large if he failed to overcome Jared Foo.
He managed to win 21-13, 19-21, 21-17, but also acknowledged that friendship almost got in the way that day.
“He (Jared) knew all my tricks because he’s my friend. Even though he’s my junior, he put up a tough challenge,” said Wei Xiang.
Though he has been making it a habit of saving his team, the youngster, who is taking part in his debut Games, was clear that it was not plausible to rely on that.
“We need to start doing better if we want to get gold.”
Wei Xiang and his teammates will next face the runners-up of Group D, Negri Sembilan, in the quarter-finals.
Wei Xiang will also partner Mohd Adam Haris Mohd Safarol for the individual men’s doubles starting on Friday.
TEAM RANKING
(Top two advance to quarter-finals)
Group A: 1. Selangor, 2. Sabah, 3. Terengganu
Group B: 1. Penang, 2. Federal Territories, 3. Johor, 4. Sarawak
Group C: 1. Melaka, 2. Perak, 3. Pahang, 4. Brunei
Group D: 1. Kedah, 2. Negri Sembilan, 3. Perlis, 4. Kelantan
FIXTURES
Men
Quarter-finals: Selangor vs Federal Territories, Melaka vs Sabah, Perak vs Kedah, Negri Sembilan vs Penang.
