Shah Alam: Malaysia’s men’s badminton squad successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) after securing their second victory in Group B. Following their win against Brunei, Malaysia dominated Kazakhstan 5-0 at the Setia City Convention Center (SCCC) on Wednesday.
This achievement places Malaysia alongside Taiwan, as both teams have secured spots in the knockout round by defeating Kazakhstan and Brunei in their initial two ties. The Malaysian team is set to face Taiwan in their upcoming match, which will determine the group champion.
In the match against Kazakhstan, Malaysia strategically substituted Lee Zii Jia as the first singles player, replacing Ng Tze Yong. Lee lived up to expectations, securing the first point by defeating Dmitriy Planarian with a score of 21-11, 21-10.
Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Dmitriy Panarin at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC):
Following suit, Leong Jun Hao and Eogene Ewe, the subsequent singles players, also contributed to Malaysia’s comprehensive victory by defeating their respective opponents. The men’s doubles team, Choong Hon Jian/Muhammad Haikal Nazri, and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani/Goh Sze Fei, faced no challenges in securing points as well.
However, the Malaysian team faces a critical test against Taiwan in their final Group B match. This encounter with Taiwan holds decisive importance for the group champion title, especially after their convincing wins against Brunei and Kazakhstan.
Rexy Mainaky, the Director of Coaching at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), emphasized the significance of the match against Taiwan. He underscored the importance of both technical preparation and mental fortitude, with the coaching staff focusing on enhancing players’ motivation and mental resilience for victory in the arena.
Addressing the fitness of individual player Ng Tze Yong, who returned to the court after recovering from a back muscle injury, Mainaky assured that the coaching team closely monitors his condition. Striking a balance in preparing players like Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, and Eogene Ewe is crucial, considering upcoming tournaments and the importance of Ng Tze Yong’s qualification points for the Olympics. The coaching staff is committed to maintaining the team’s competitive edge through a holistic approach encompassing technical skills and mental preparedness.
