Malaysia sweep Estonia to reach World Junior mixed team semis

Malaysia reached the World Junior Mixed Team Championship semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Estonia in Cairo on Wednesday. The top seeds are assured of a medal after returning empty-handed from the championship in India last year.

Malaysia won both games under the 55-point relay scoring system, taking the first 55-35 and the second 55-20. They will face 2024 champions Indonesia on Thursday for a place in the final.

Malaysia build lead in first game

Tiew Wei Jie opened the first game with an 11-7 win over Karl Mattias Pedai in boys’ singles. Low Zi Yu and Teh Xin Ying then beat Kaisa Liis Lepp and Romili Vakk in girls’ doubles, extending Malaysia’s lead to 22-13.

Carine Tee overcame Marija Paskotsi in girls’ singles to move Malaysia 33-26 ahead. In mixed doubles, Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal partnered Zi Yu against Priit Poder and Kaisa Liis Lepp, pushing the score to 44-29.

Ahmad Redzuan returned alongside Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim for the boys’ doubles leg. They beat Pedai and Poder to close out the first game 55-35, giving Malaysia a strong start to the tie.

Second-game sweep sets up Indonesia meeting

Wei Jie began the second game by beating Marti Joost 11-6. Zi Yu and Nur Aina Maisarah Hatta followed with a win over Lumikki Liias and Marija Paskotsi, taking Malaysia’s lead to 22-11.

Carine then beat Romili Vakk to extend the score to 33-14. Irfan Shazmir and Nur Aina made it 44-16 in mixed doubles against Rasmus Roogsoo and Lumikki Liias, leaving one leg to complete the victory.

Damien Ling and Irfan finished the job in boys’ doubles against Joost and Roogsoo. Their result sealed the second game 55-20 and confirmed Malaysia’s place in the last four.

Indonesia also advanced with a 2-0 win, defeating the United Arab Emirates. Thursday’s semi-final will decide which side reaches the final; Malaysia’s place on the medal podium is already assured regardless of that result.