KUSHAN(China): Malaysia’s team captain and World Number 2 managed to motivate his team by winning the opening match. And Malaysia won the tie in a 4-1 score. The former world number 1, displayed great leadership disposing young player Toby Plenty. Toby managed to put up a little resistance but the Malaysian master wrapped the match with 21-15 21-11 win in just 34 minutes.
In the 2nd men’s singles match, Chong Wei Feng who left the national team in last month; justifies his place in team. He controlled the game from beginning which left Sam Parson with no answer. Chong Wei Feng blazed through match with a 21-10,21-10 win which led Malaysia in 3-0 lead. In the 2nd men’s doubles, gave the whole team a little doubt with the performance from the former World Number 1 pair Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.
Koo Kien Keat left the national team in 2014 and follow by Tan Boon Heong a year after.They appeared to be still tired from their Olympic qualifying period campaign. Koo and Tan managed to put their experience into good use but couldn’t sustain the pace by the young English pair. They lost the battle 18-21 21-13 17-21 to Peter Briggs-Tom Wolfenden in 45 minutes.
There were much debate of including Goh Soon Huat in the team over Malaysia’s first World Junior Champion Zulfadli. However, Goh Soon Huat secured Malaysia’s fourth point by beating Alex Lane 21-15, 19-21, 21-13 in 59 minutes. Malaysia will be facing Germany next in the Group C.
