Malaysia juniors sweep Poland to set up US playoff

Malaysia completed an unbeaten Group A1 campaign at the World Junior Mixed Team Championships in Cairo on Tuesday, beating Poland 2-0 to secure a playoff against the United States for a quarter-final place.

The national juniors won the two games 55-28 and 55-34. Having also beaten Slovenia 2-0 in their opener, Malaysia finished top of the group without dropping a game. The United States finished Group A2 with a 2-0 record of their own.

Malaysia take control against Poland

Malaysia were rarely troubled in the opening game. Kong Wei Xiang edged Jakub Mazurek 11-9 in the boys’ singles, and Carine Tee then extended the overall lead to 22-13 against Wiktoria Kaletka.

Rachel Tan-Teh Xin Ying then shut out Dominika Bartlomiejczuk-Wiktoria Kaletka, putting Malaysia 33-13 ahead. Isyraf Hafizin and Ahmad Redzuan, followed by the mixed doubles combination of Ahmad Redzuan and Low Zi Yu, completed the 55-28 win.

Changed line-up completes the win

Lim Boon Le and Saadiah Muhammad Saidatul gave Malaysia a quick start in the singles in the second game. Leong Hwee Ling and Teh Xin Ying kept Malaysia ahead in the women’s doubles.

Damien Ling and Irfan Shazmir and Khairul Azlan Khashah and Nur Aina Maisarah then closed out the 55-34 victory. The result confirmed a second straight 2-0 match win for Malaysia after their opening victory over Slovenia.

Across the two group fixtures, Malaysia won every game they played. Their next opponents have also won both of their group matches, with the United States beating Slovakia and Uganda to finish Group A2 with a 2-0 record.

Quarter-final place at stake

Malaysia and the United States will meet in a playoff for a place in the last eight. The match will be Malaysia’s first real test of the tournament after their unbeaten Group A1 run.

Malaysia won the Suhandinata Cup in 2011. At last year’s championships in Guwahati, India, they reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by China.