Shah Alam: Malaysia will face Singapore in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) next.
On Thursday, Malaysia secured victory over Taiwan with a 3-2 score to emerge as the Group B champions at the Setia City Convention Center (SCCC).
Both teams had already confirmed their spots in the quarterfinals, and today’s matches determined the group champion and runner-up.
Malaysia started convincingly with Lee Zii Jia winning against Lin Chun Yi 21-16, 21-13, before the former world champions Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik lost to scratch pair Lee Jhe-Huei/Lee Yang 21-23, 17-21 in the first men’s doubles match.
Fortunately, Malaysia quickly regained the lead with Leong Jun Hao’s victory over Lee Chia Hao 21-19, 21-17 in the second men’s singles match.
The second men’s doubles pair, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani/Goh Sze Fei, secured the team’s win by defeating Wang Chi Lin/Yang Po Han 21-19, 21-14.
Highlights of Nur Izzuddin Rumsani/Goh Sze Fei vs. Wang Chi Lin/Yang Po Han:
Taiwan gained their second point of the night through Chi Yu Jen winning against Eogene Ewe 21-16, 21-14.
In other men’s team quarterfinals, China will face Indonesia, South Korea meet Taiwan, and India will compete against Japan.
In the women’s category, Malaysia was drawn against defending champions Indonesia for a spot in the semifinals. Other matches included Japan versus China, India against Hong Kong, and Taiwan facing Thailand.
The top four teams from each category will automatically qualify for the Thomas/Uber Cup in Chengdu, China in April.