Eain Yow wastes no time getting back on court to power men’s team into quarters

Ruling the roost: Ng Eain Yow defeated India’s Abhay Singh in the singles final to retain his gold. — Reuters

 

A DAY after defending his gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, national squash player Ng Eain Yow was back on court to give the men’s team the winning point to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

The men’s squad reached the last eight by topping Group C with back-to-back 3-0 wins over Thailand and Qatar at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena yesterday.

Eain Yow, who defeated India’s Abhay Singh in the singles final to retain his gold and also book his Olympic Games ticket on Sunday, was rested for Malaysia’s first group tie against Thailand.

Syafiq Kamal stepped in first to beat Arkaradet Arkarahirunya 11-3, 11-3, 11-5, before Sanjay Jeeva delivered the winning point by winning 11-3, 11-0, 11-4 against Ravipun Limphaiboon.

C. Ameeshenraj then wrapped up the tie with a 11-3, 11-1, 11-4 win over Thitivuth Yingcharoen.

In the second match against Qatar, Syafiq cruised past Sayed Amjad 11-5, 11-3, 11-4 before Eain Yow got the winning point with a 11-6, 11-5, 11-5 victory over Salem Al-Makli. Ameeshenraj then beat Ali Al-Darwish 11-7, 11-2, 11-1.

They will play either Hong Kong or Japan in the last eight.

Eain Yow admitted he was still feeling the effects of his singles final on Sunday but felt getting back on court would help his body recover.

“I was rested for the first tie, but I felt I needed to get back on court and move my body,” said Eain Yow.

“It was a slow start, but I needed to get all the lactic acid out of my body because the final was tough.

“Once I got it out of my body, it was straightforward for me.”

Eain Yow and compatriot S. Sivasangari became the first two squash players to book their Los Angeles Olympics tickets after defending their men and women’s singles titles on Sunday. That achievement also inspired fellow Malaysian Ameeshenraj, who said he has been looking up to Eain Yow throughout his career.

“I’ve looked up to Eain Yow since I was very young and to be in the team with him again is great,” said the 22-year-old Ameeshenraj.

“We played together three years ago in the Asian Team Championships. He’s always been a role model and continues to inspire all of us.”

Meanwhile, the women’s team got past their opening group stage tie against Macau yesterday.

Sivasangari was rested as Rachel Arnold got things rolling for Malaysia by winning 11-6, 11-7, 11-8 against Cao Chi Cheng before Aira Azman beat Liu Kwai Chi 11-5, 11-2, 11-2.

Aira’s older sister Aifa Azman then stepped in to complete the tie with a 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 win over Yeung Wai Leng.

The women’s squad will face Singapore today in their final Group A match.

RESULTS

Men

Group A: India bt China 3-0; India bt South Korea 3-0.

Group B: Pakistan bt Philippines 3-0; Pakistan bt Kuwait 3-0.

Group C: Malaysia bt Thailand 3-0 (Syafiq Kamal bt Arkaradet Arkarahirunya 11-3, 11-3, 11-5; Sanjay Jeeva bt Ravipun Limphaiboon 11-3, 11-0, 11-4; C. Ameeshenraj bt Thitivuth Yingcharoen 11-3, 11-1, 11-4); Malaysia bt Qatar 3-0 (Syafiq Kamal bt Sayed Amjad 11-5, 11-3, 11-4; Ng Eain Yow bt Salem Al-Makli 11-6, 11-5, 11-5; C. Ameeshenraj bt Ali Al-Darwish 11-7, 11-2, 11-1).

Group D: Hong Kong bt Mongolia 3-0.

Women

Group A: Malaysia bt Macau 3-0 (Rachel Arnold bt Cao Chi Cheng 11-6, 11-7, 11-8; Aira Azman bt Liu Kwai Chi 11-5, 11-2, 11-2; Aifa Azman bt Yeung Wai Leng 11-6, 11-3, 11-4); Singapore bt Macau 2-1.

Group B: Mongolia bt South Korea (walkover); Hong Kong bt Pakistan 3-0; Hong Kong bt South Korea 3-0; Pakistan bt Mongolia 3-0.

Group C: Japan bt Iran 3-0; India bt China 2-1; India bt Japan 2-1; China bt Iran 2-1.