UBON RATCHATHANI – Malaysia made a clean sweep of the men’s and women’s badminton team golds at the Asean University Games (AUG) 2022 here today.
Victory in the men’s team event at the University of Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat was particularly sweet as it meant Malaysia avenged their defeat by Indonesia in the final at the last games in 2018.
It was a convincing win as Malaysia won the first three singles to beat Indonesia 3-0.
Ng Jun Yan gave Malaysia a winning start by scoring a 21-14, 21-4 victory over Muhammad Ferbriansyah.
Tai Chuan Zhe kept up the momentum for Malaysia when he beat Muhammad Rafi Zafran Ferary 21-18, 21-10.
Faiz Rozain then sealed the gold after defeating Muhammad Nendi Novatino Ferary 21-16,11-1.
However, Malaysia were made to slog for a 3-2 victory in the women’s team final to retain the gold they won in 2018.
Sri Fatmawati of Indonesia beat Lim Ji Ning 21-12, 21-18 in the first singles before Malaysia drew level when Desiree Siow Hao Shan-Ng Qi Xuan edged Nahla Aufa Dhiaulhaq-Elizabeth Jovita 21-13, 16-21, 21-15 in the second match.
Malaysia’s singles player N. Saranya lost in the third match but Malaysia won the fourth and fifth matches to clinch the title. – Bernama, July 28, 2022
