Maiden Titles For Malaysia, Indonesia

Hosts Malaysia clinched their first men’s team title at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022 beating three-time winners Indonesia 3-0 yesterday in Shah Alam.

The women’s event too saw debutant winners, as Indonesia overcame Korea 3-1.

Malaysia had it relatively easy against an Indonesian team missing many of their front-liners. All England champion Lee Zii Jia struck first, overcoming Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in three games. Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik were taken the distance by young opponents Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, before prevailing in 56 minutes, 17-21 21-13 21-18.

Malaysian players mob Ng Tze Yong after his title-clinching win.

Ng Tze Yong wrapped up proceedings for the hosts with a straightforward 21-14 21-15 result over Ikhsan Leonardo Imanuel Rumbay. The Badminton Asia Team Championships began in 2016, and Indonesia had won all three previous editions.

Korea were without several of their big names for the women’s tea event. Sim Yujin couldn’t provide much of a challenge to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in the opener.

The Koreans struck through Baek Ha Na/Seong Seung Yeon, who beat Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi in 65 minutes.

The Indonesians however had too much firepower, with Putri Kusuma Wardani and Nita Violina Marwah/Lanny Tria Mayasari storming to straight-games wins over Lee Se Yeon and Kim Min Ji/Park Min Jeong respectively.

Earlier, in the semifinals of the men’s event, Malaysia blanked Korea 3-0 while Indonesia survived a strong Singapore challenge 3-2. The women’s team event saw Korea ease past Malaysia 3-0 and Indonesia receive a walkover from two-time champions Japan.

All four semifinalists in either event have assured themselves of qualification for the TotalEnergies BWF Thomas and Uber Cup Finals 2022 in Bangkok in May.

Nita Violina Marwah and Lanny Tria Mayasari are over the moon after seeing Indonesia through.

Highlights:

♦In an exciting women’s team group match on the opening day, Malaysia fought off a 0-2 deficit to beat Japan 3-2, with Anna Cheong/Teoh Mei Xing taking the winning point over Hina Akechi/Riko Gunji.

♦Among the high-profile group matches was world champion Loh Kean Yew against All England champion Lee Zee Jia in men’s team Group B. Lee romped home 21-6 21-14 to set up a 5-0 whitewash for Malaysia.

♦A young Indian team, led by Lakshya Sen, surprised Hong Kong China 3-2 in men’s team Group A, with Mithun Manjunath taking the winning point over Jason Gunawan.

♦Malaysia were stretched by Japan in their final Group B tie. Japan were 2-1 up before Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin rescued Malaysia in the second doubles, before Leong Jun Hao proved too strong for Koshiro Moriguchi, 21-18 21-16.