Bangkok: 15-year-old Goh Jin Wei was the only bright spot in what turned out to be a dismal day for the Malaysian badminton team, as other Malaysian shuttlers crashed out of the 2015 Asia Junior Championship on Friday.
Goh Jin Wei outlasted Soo In Byun of Korea 21-9, 21-10 at Friday noon to cruise to the final 8. Jin Wei produced a determined performance later that day to edge out Shiori Saito of Japan 21-18, 14-21, 21-18 in 76 minutes to move to girl’s singles semi-finals. Jin Wei will take on top seed He Bing Jiao of China on Saturday. He Bing Jiao fought back from a set down to finally overcome Natsuki Nidaira of Japan 21-7, 13-21, 21-13 in the quarter-finals.
In mixed doubles, Goh Jin Wei/Tan Jinn Hwa managed to ease past Yang Ming-Tse/Jhou Shih Jyun of Chinese Taipei 21-9, 21-15 in their last 16 match. However, Goh/Tan were not able to advance any further after their gritty fight against second seeds Choi Jong Woo/Kim Hye Jeong ended with a 21-17, 21-16 loss.
Cheam June Wei’s campaign in Bangkok also ended on a disappointment note. The Malaysian boy’s singles shuttler couldn’t outwit Vega Vio Nirwanda of Indonesia, losing 20-22, 21-12, 21-13 in round 4.
Unseeded boy’s singles shuttler from Japan, Yuta Watanabe pulled off the upset of the tournament, handling top seed Firman Abdul Kholik of Indonesia the quarter-finals exit, winning 23-21, 21-16. Watanabe will take on 2014 world junior champion Lin Gui Pu in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Having fought tooth and nail, girl’s doubles from Japan, Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida kicked up a gear to shock top seeds Apriani Apriani/Jauza Fadhila Sugiarto 21-19, 22-20 in round 3, and eventually made it to the semi-finals.
