PETALING JAYA: The national junior shuttlers exacted sweet revenge for their seniors by defeating two-time champions Indonesia 2-0 to advance to the mixed team final of the World Junior Championships in Cairo on Friday.
The Indonesians had claimed the bragging rights at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games last month by knocking out Malaysia in the quarter-finals before going on to win the gold.
But the juniors turned timely avengers at the Cairo International Stadium with a hard-fought victory over Indonesia, who were runners-up last year.
The Indonesians went ahead first when Fardhan Rainanda beat Tiew Wei Jie 11-6 in the boys’ singles.
The girls’ doubles pair of Genevie Lim-Low Zi Yu quickly levelled the score, beating Atresia Naufa-Aurelia Syakira 22-17 before Indonesia regained the lead through Jolin Angelia, who edged out Carine Tee 33-32 in the girls’ singles.
Zi Yu then partnered Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal in the mixed doubles to equalise once more, overcoming Moses Andar and Reya Azzahra 44-43.
Damien Ling-Irfan Shazmir sealed the first game for Malaysia with a 55-49 win over Faizal Pangetsu and Anju Siahaan.
The second game saw Wei Jie make amends by defeating Fardhan 11-7.
Genevie-Zi Yu also comfortably won their match 22-11, despite Indonesia fielding a changed line-up of Atresia and Halifia Usni.
Carine held on for a 33-28 victory over Jolin before Zi Yu-Redzuan once again defeated Moses and Reya 44-37.
Ultimately, the tie rested on the shoulders of Redzuan and Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim in the men’s doubles.
Their 55-42 victory over Faizal-Anju secured Malaysia’s first appearance in a mixed team World Junior Championships final since the 2017 edition in Yogyakarta.
“The nerves did get to me when I noticed how close the points were before our match,” admitted Isyraf. “Once I stepped onto the court, though, that feeling vanished and I was steady again.”
The 18-year-old duo, currently ranked world No. 3 in the junior boys’ doubles, have established themselves as a formidable pairing for the future.
They previously claimed the doubles title at the Malaysia Junior International Challenge in July.
Redzuan noted that playing in Cairo presented a unique challenge, particularly with nearly 1,000 Indonesian supporters inside the venue.
“They (Indonesia) had more fans than us, but we pushed through,” said Redzuan.
“Even with fewer local fans in person, seeing them there really helped boost our spirits. Thank you to all the fans who showed up to support us.”
Malaysia will now face tournament favourites China in the final as they seek to capture their first world junior title since 2011.
