Qingdao: The 2025 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships (BAMTC) witnessed a shocking twist as Hong Kong secured a 3-2 victory over Malaysia in Group B, keeping their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals alive. More than just a battle between players, this match was also a clash of coaching strategies, with several former Malaysian coaches now leading the Hong Kong team.
Hong Kong’s coaching staff is heavily influenced by Malaysia, with head coach Wong Choong Hann, women’s singles coach Lo Wei Sheng, mixed doubles coach Yap Wai Tat, and men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen all having deep-rooted experience in Malaysian badminton.
Tactical Brilliance from Wong Choong Hann
One of the most talked-about moments of the match came in the men’s singles showdown between Lee Cheuk Yiu (World No. 21) and Malaysia’s Justin Hoh (World No. 53). With Wong Choong Hann providing precise tactical guidance from the sidelines, Lee executed a flawless strategy, securing a 21-19, 21-16 straight-game victory to give Hong Kong a crucial 2-1 lead.
A viral clip circulating on social media captured Wong’s instructions to Lee:
“He’ll force the pace towards the end—that’s his style. The later it gets, the more aggressive he becomes. You need to hold steady at the net… if you lift the shuttle, he’ll pounce. So, keep your net shots low and stay in control.”
Wong’s tactical expertise, combined with Lee’s disciplined execution, proved to be a game-changer in securing this vital win for Hong Kong.
Malaysia Falls Short, Must Beat Indonesia to Survive
Final Score: Hong Kong 3, Malaysia 2
This defeat means Malaysia must beat Indonesia in their final group-stage match on Thursday to stand a chance of advancing to the knockout rounds. Indonesia had earlier dominated Hong Kong with a 5-0 sweep, making Malaysia’s upcoming challenge even tougher.
Match Breakdown
Mixed Doubles: Malaysia’s Hoo Pang Ron & Cheng Su Yin (World No. 15) took the opening game but ultimately lost 21-17, 17-21, 11-21 to Hong Kong’s newly formed duo Tang Chun Man/Ng Tsz Yau, giving Hong Kong the first point.
Women’s Singles: Karupathevan Letshanaa (World No. 53) leveled the score for Malaysia with a 21-18, 21-18 win over Saloni Samirbhai Mehta (World No. 97).
Men’s Singles: Lee Cheuk Yiu (World No. 21) secured a crucial 21-19, 21-16 victory over Justin Hoh (World No. 53), putting Hong Kong ahead 2-1.
Women’s Doubles: Malaysia’s Go Pei Kee/Teoh Mei Xing (World No. 48) struggled against Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam, losing 17-21, 14-21, which sealed Hong Kong’s victory.
Men’s Doubles: Man Wei Chong & Tee Kai Wun, fresh off their Indonesia Masters title, cruised to a 21-13, 21-11 win over Hung Kuei Chun/Lui Chun Wai, but the outcome had already been decided.
Malaysia’s 2-3 loss marks a disappointing start to their BAMTC campaign, and all eyes are now on their must-win clash against Indonesia. Can Malaysia bounce back, or will their tournament journey come to an early end? Stay tuned for the latest badminton news and updates from BAMTC 2025.
