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SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian men’s team has secured their spot in the finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships after 21-year-old Ng Tze Yong won the third straight match for the national contingent.
Tze Yong beat South Korea’s Kim Joo wan in the rubber set, with the score eventually coming to 19-21, 21-16, 21-12.
Speaking to the media after his win, Tze Yong said he felt unsure of his strategy at first as he has not faced Kim Joo Wan before.
“I had to figure it out as I played, not just keep smashing every time.
“His defence is good, so I had to study him a little before changing my style,” he said.
Tze Yong’s smile could be seen through his face mask as he knew he gave Malaysia the vital winning point needed to make it into the finals.
“I feel very proud to give us the winning point.
“For now we shouldn’t think too much about tomorrow but instead do our best, and I know we will fight until the end,” added Tze Yong.
Earlier today, world No.7 Lee Zii Jia gave Malaysia her first point against South Korea, winning 21-13, 13-21, 15-21 against 26-year-old Jeon Hyeok Jin.
The doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik earned the second point for the national team after beating Kim Hwi Tae-Kim Jaehwan in a nail-biting 14-21, 22-20, 19-21 match.
The men’s team will be the sole representative for the nation in the finals as the women’s team suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of the South Korean women’s team, losing in three straight matches.
Malaysia will face Indonesia in the finals tomorrow at 4pm at the Setia City Convention Centre after the latter beat Singapore 3-2 in the semi-finals today.– The Vibes, February 19, 2022
