Malaysia two good at Asian Junior Team squash championships

The Malaysian team posing with their medals after winning the boys and girls title of the CIMB Foundation Asian Junior Team Championships at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil on Sunday. - LOW BOON TAT/ The STAR.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia swept to a grand double at the CIMB Foundation Asian Junior Team Championships at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

The Malaysian boys surprisingly had it easy against Pakistan, strolling to a 2-0 win. In contrast, the girls were taken to the distance before winning 2-1 against Hong Kong.

It was Malaysia’s second double in the championships, having emerged triumphant in both events in India in 2009.

World No. 66 Rachel Arnold put up a composed performance to beat Choi Uen Shan 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 to give Malaysia the lead in the girls’ final.

Hong Kong, however, drew level when 14-year-old Lui Hiu Lam took her opportunities against a wasteful and erratic S. Sivasangari to win 13-11, 11-5, 14-16, 13-11.

In the deciding rubber, Malaysian No. 2 Teh Min Jie was a bundle of nerves and appeared to have blown the initiative against 16-year-old Ho Ka Wing.

The 18-year-old Min Jie, however, regained her composure. She recovered from 2-6 down in the fifth set to seal an 11-8, 10-12, 4-11, 11-4, 11-9 win.

It was Malaysia’s seventh title in 17 editions.

“I’m just overwhelmed to deliver the winning point. It feels really great to have won this for the team ... especially since I’ve never won a single Asian Junior title in my career,” said Min Jie.

“I guess I’m just glad to have pulled through because I was very nervous out there.

“I was getting a little too eager to finish off the game,” she added.

Buoyed by the compatriots’ success, the Malaysian boys took to the court next.

They played their hearts out to topple defending champions Pakistan.

Three-time British Junior Open champion Ng Eain Yow showed nerves of steel, recovering from an opening set loss to beat Pakistan top junior Tayyab Aslam 6-11, 13-11, 11-4, 3-11, 11-7.

With the crowd urging him on, 18-year-old Darren Chan wrapped up the win in style by hammering out an 11-8, 12-10, 11-4 win over Muhammad Asim Khan. It was Darren’s first win over Asim in three meetings.

“I lost badly to Asim in our previous encounters.

“It feels great to be the one delivering the winning point in my final tournament as a junior,” said Darren.