Sudirman Cup: Malaysia outclass Australia, eye quarter-final berth
KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — The national badminton squad maintained their momentum at the 2025 Sudirman Cup by defeating Australia 4-1 in their second Group C match at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium in China, strengthening their bid for a quarter-final berth.
This follows Malaysia's 5-0 thrashing of France in yesterday's opening match, placing them among the top two in Group C. Only the top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals.
Malaysia will wind up their group campaign against third seeds Japan this Thursday.
Today's match began with the reunited mixed doubles pair, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, showing strong chemistry as they easily defeated Ricky Tang-Gronya Somerville 21-8, 21-12 in just 27 minutes.
Tang Jie said he was pleased to be back partnering Ee Wei and hopes they can win every match when selected to play.
'Whoever is fielded, we will fight as a team,' Ee Wei said in an audio recording shared by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
Justin Hoh extended Malaysia's lead with a 21-9, 21-15 victory over Shrey Dhand in the men's singles.
The 21-year-old said that instead of feeling nervous, he was more excited to test his abilities in a fast-paced match.
K. Letshanaa clinched the tie for Malaysia by defeating Kai Qi (Bernice) Teoh 21-6, 21-8 in the women's singles, followed by an easy win in the men's doubles by Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who beat Jack Yu-Frederick Zhao 21-8, 21-9.
However, national women's doubles pair Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting were defeated by Gronya Somerville-Angela Yu 15-21, 18-21.
Malaysia's best achievement at the Sudirman Cup has been reaching the semi-finals three times — in the 2009, 2021 and 2023 editions. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Malayan Tigress Retain Most Players For 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers
KUALA LUMPUR, June 16 (Bernama) -- National head coach Joel Cornelli has retained more than 90 per cent of his existing players to face the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 5. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) announced today in a statement that Cornelli has retained 21 of the 23 players in the Malayan Tigress squad that participated in the Tri-Nations tournament in Thimphu, Bhutan, which concluded earlier this month. Among the players retained by the Brazilian coach are prolific striker Intan Sarah Anisah Zulgafli, experienced defender Steffi Sarge Kaur, and leading goalkeeper Nurul Azurin Mazlan. bootstrap slideshow 'The new players selected are Malayan Tigress Under-19 (U-19) goalkeeper Daliea Eliesa and striker Henrietta Justine. 'The national women's football squad will first play two Tier 1 international matches against the UAE (United Arab Emirates) on June 18 and 22 in Dubai before flying to Tajikistan to face the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualification campaign,' the statement said. In the 2026 Women's Asian Cup Qualification campaign, Malaysia has been drawn in Group H to start the competition against Palestine on June 29, followed by Tajikistan (July 3) and North Korea on July 5 with all matches scheduled to be held at the Central Stadium, Dushanbe. The eight group winners will qualify for the final round along with Australia, China, South Korea and Japan in Australia in March 2026. The last time Malaysia qualified for the Women's Asian Cup was in 1995, when they were the hosts. The national team's best achievement in the quadrennial tournament was third place in the 1983 edition in Thailand.
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Norza chairs BWF's finance, audit and risk committee
PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Mohd Norza Zakaria is set to draw on his expertise to help strengthen governance within the Badminton World Federation (BWF), with a focus on improving its corporate governance and financial performance. Norza, who was elected as a BWF council member in May, has since been appointed as the chair of the federation's finance, audit and risk committee. His seven-year stint as Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president has equipped him with the necessary experience to contribute effectively to BWF's administration. 'When you talk about governance, it is based on my experience in BAM. It is about strengthening governance, bringing in more commercialisation, and all those aspects. I am a CPA (certified public accountant), a chartered accountant, so that is another area where I can contribute by providing input to strengthen BWF's finance and administration,' said Norza. He also believes the time is right for Asia, which is home to the majority of the sport's powerhouse nations, to have a stronger voice at the global level. BWF are currently led by Thai president Patama Leeswadtrakul. Out of the 20 council members in the new term, eight are from Asia, including Norza. Norza sees this as a timely opportunity for Asian expertise to be shared with countries that are still developing in the sport. "I think it is a good time for Asia to put forward a stronger voice. The president is also from Asia, and we have strong representation in the council. BWF currently has 202 member associations across five continents, Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and Pan America.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Don't get comfortable, Rexy warns high-flying doubles pairs
KUALA LUMPUR: Coaching director Rexy Mainaky has warned the country's top doubles shuttlers not to rest on their laurels despite a string of promising results. Rexy, a former Olympic champion, stressed that the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Games is still long and full of hurdles and urged his players to remain hungry, disciplined and focused. "I'm pleased with their performances so far, but we cannot afford to get comfortable," said Rexy. "There are still many tournaments ahead, and Olympic qualification is far from settled. If we allow ourselves to be easily content, that will be our downfall. "But if we stay driven and work hard, I believe — with the right support — we truly have a shot at our first Olympic gold in 2028." Malaysia currently boast four men's doubles pairs ranked inside the world's top 25, a healthy sign for their hopes of sending two pairs to LA28. Under Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules, each nation may field a maximum of two pairs per doubles event at the Olympics, provided both are inside the top eight at the end of the qualification period. At present, professional duo Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani top the world rankings, followed by Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik at No. 2. Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun sit seventh, while Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi are 24th. Rexy believes the depth in the men's doubles ranks bodes well for the national team's long-term Olympic ambitions. "Right now, we have two pairs in the top two. Behind them, Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Roy King-Arif are closing in," he said. "This is very encouraging. It boosts our players' confidence and adds pressure on our rivals. "Our target is to have all four pairs inside the top four when the 2028 Games come around. That will create healthy internal competition for the two Olympic slots." It's been a stellar season so far for the Malaysian men's doubles. Sze Fei-Izzuddin clinched the India Open in January en route to becoming world No. 1. Aaron-Wooi Yik, meanwhile, lifted three titles — the Badminton Asia Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open. Wei Chong-Kai Wun have also impressed, picking up the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Masters crowns, while Roy King-Arif continue to improve since forming their partnership last year. Two pairs — Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun — are currently part of the Road to Gold (RTG) programme, an elite initiative designed to help Malaysia finally capture its first Olympic gold in 2028. Also in the RTG setup are women's world No. 3 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and mixed doubles world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. Professional pairs, Sze Fei-Izzuddin and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai may also be included, subject to agreement on terms. "The RTG began earlier than similar initiatives in other countries, so we've got a head start," added Rexy. "But ultimately, it all comes down to the players' commitment. If they stay disciplined and don't get easily satisfied, I truly believe we can finally bring home that elusive gold."
