20-07-2025
Malaysia to battle defending champs China at Asian Juniors
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must overcome defending champions China in the quarter-finals on Monday to stand a chance of winning a medal at the Badminton Asia Junior Championships mixed team event.
The national squad finished second in Group B after going down 110-92 to hosts Indonesia at the Manahan Indoor Stadium in Surakarta on Sunday.
The defeat sets up a tough last-eight clash with China — the same side that ended Malaysia's run in the semi-finals last year in Yogyakarta.
Malaysia's only win against Indonesia came through girls' doubles pair Dania Sofea Zaidi-Low Zi Yu, who defeated Riska Anggraini-Rinjani Kwinara Nastine 11-9.
However, the rest of the team failed to deliver.
Team manager Leong Kin Weng, who is also the Penang BA president, admitted Indonesia were the better side.
"However, a few of our players did not perform as we had expected," he said when contacted."
"Malaysia face a stern test against China, who are once again among the title favourites.
"It will be very tough," added Kin Weng.
In the other quarter-final ties, Thailand take on Hong Kong, Indonesia play South Korea, while Japan face India.
