Shah Alam: Malaysia demonstrated its badminton prowess at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) with a resounding 5-0 victory against Brunei. The anticipated win unfolded at the Setia City Convention Center (SCCC) in Shah Alam on Tuesday. Notably, Ng Tze Yong, the nation’s men’s singles player, made a triumphant return to the court after overcoming a back muscle injury, securing the first point by defeating Kan Kah Kit with a score of 21-7, 21-11.
Highlights of Ng Tze Yong vs. Kan Kah Kit at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC):
The dominance continued as two other national singles players, Leong Jun Hao and Eogene Ewe, effortlessly secured victories against their opponents, establishing a comfortable 3-0 lead for Malaysia. Leong, stepping in for the injured Justin Hoh, displayed dominance by defeating Marhanif Ali 21-5, 21-6, while Ewe triumphed over Mattew Minggat with a score of 21-8, 21-4.
In the following matches, the duo of Choong Hon Jian/Muhammad Haikal Nazari, making their debut in the championships, contributed to the team’s success by overcoming Marhanif/Haziq Roze with a score of 21-5, 21-12 before Nur Izzuddin Rumsani/Goh Sze Fei concluded the tie by defeating Mattew/Mohamad Iqbal Asyraf Mohammad with a score of 21-9, 21-7.
The next challenge for Malaysia is a match against Kazakhstan, where a win will secure their spot in the quarterfinals. After that, the face-off against Taiwan is deemed crucial, determining the group champion and runner-up who will qualify for the knockout stage. Success in the top eight group matches guarantees automatic qualification for the Thomas Cup final in Chengdu, China, in April.
Ahead of the upcoming match against Kazakhstan, Rexy Mainaky, the Director of Coaching at the Academy Badminton of Malaysia, emphasized the importance of maintaining focus. He stressed the need for another 5-0 victory to ensure the team’s optimal performance before the decisive final group tie against Taiwan.
Reflecting on the victory against Brunei, Rexy acknowledged the lack of challenge due to the opposing players’ limited international match experience. Despite this, he encouraged the players to stay focused and strive for a comprehensive victory against Kazakhstan.
Ng Tze Yong, after playing his first full match of the season, expressed cautious optimism, considering his ongoing recovery from a back muscle injury. Despite some tension, he secured a significant victory, emphasizing the importance of discussing any concerns with the coach.
In summary, Malaysia’s dominant performance against Brunei sets the stage for a promising journey in the 2024 BATC, with a focus on maintaining momentum and strategic play in the upcoming ties.
