Kuala Lumpur: Federal Territory (FT) was the overall badminton champions at the 2012 Pahang Malaysia Games (Sukma), thanks for the help of former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkiffli. However, FT suffered a 3-2 defeat to Selangor on Wednesday in the 2014 Perlis Sukma men’s team competition.
Zulfadli Zulkiffli who played the opening game for FT, was struggling in the first set, and went down 15-21 to Selangor’s Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub. In the second set, a suddenly alert and focused Zulfadli turned the tables on Mohd Azriyn, closed out the match by sweeping the next two games 21-10, 21-16.
Zulfadli, who flew to Kangar directly from Madrid at 2am on Wednesday. He competed in the Spanish Open last week but lost to Kim Bruun of Denmark 21-18 21-13 in the second round, acknowledge that he lost his focus in the first set.
“I only slept four hours before coming to the game. I need some time to get use to the stadium and environment,” said Zulfadli.
“I will try my best to defend my men’s singles gold medal, but I will be careful since I don’t want to make my knee problems worst.” Zulfadli sustained the knee injury at the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold in Johor in March.
“I want to defend the individual gold medal but I am going take it one game at a time. I don’t want to further aggravate the injury.”
Despite his win, Selangor still managed to defeat FT 3-2 in the men’s team competition.
Here is the complete result of the FT vs Selangor match:
Zulfadli Zulkiffli (FT) vs Nur Mohd Azriyn (Selangor) 15-21, 21-10, 21-16
Lim Chi Wing (FT) vs Chong Yee Han (Selangor) 21-16, 14-21, 9-21
Soh Wooi Yik (FT) vs Soong Joo Ven (Selangor) 12-21, 8-21
Darren Isaac/Lim Chi Wing (FT) vs Chua Khek Wei/Woon Man Chun(Selangor) 21-15, 15-21, 23-21
Leong Wen Hao/Ong Jing Khai (FT) vs Chong Yee Han/Nur Mohd Azriyn (Selangor) 11-19, 19-21
