Malaysia beat Indonesia to reach World Junior mixed team final
Malaysia beat Indonesia 2-0 in Cairo to reach the World Junior Championships mixed team final for the first time since 2017, with China or Thailand next.
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Malaysia reached the World Junior Championships mixed team final for the first time in nine years after beating Indonesia 2-0 in the semi-finals at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Friday, 9 October.
The national squad overcame last year’s runners-up in both games to set up a final against either China or Thailand on Saturday. Malaysia last reached the mixed team final in 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Malaysia edge a tight opening game
Indonesia took the early lead when Fardhan Rainanda beat Tiew Wei Jie 11-6 in the boys’ singles. Malaysia responded through Genevie Lim and Low Zi Yu, who defeated Atresia Naufa and Aurelia Syakira 22-17 in the girls’ doubles.
Jolin Angelia then edged Carine Tee 33-32 in the girls’ singles to put Indonesia back in front. Malaysia regained the advantage in a close mixed doubles contest, with Zi Yu and Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal beating Moses Andar and Reya Azzahra 44-43.
Damien Ling and Irfan Shazmir finished the opening game for Malaysia with a 55-49 win over Faizal Pangetsu and Anju Siahaan. It gave the national squad the lead in the semi-final despite Indonesia’s wins in both singles contests.
Strong second game secures victory
Wei Jie reversed his earlier result against Fardhan, winning the boys’ singles 11-7. Genevie and Zi Yu followed with a 22-11 girls’ doubles victory over Indonesia’s revised pairing of Atresia and Halifia Usni.
Carine also turned her singles result around, beating Jolin 33-28. Zi Yu and Redzuan then defeated Moses and Reya 44-37 in the mixed doubles, leaving Malaysia one contest away from completing the semi-final win.
Redzuan returned alongside Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim for the boys’ doubles. They beat Faizal and Anju 55-42 to complete Malaysia’s 2-0 victory.
Final opponent awaits
Malaysia’s win ended a nine-year absence from the mixed team final. The team will face either China or Thailand in the final on Saturday, 10 October.
The semi-final also marked a turnaround for Wei Jie and Carine, who both won their second-game singles contests after losing in the opening game. Zi Yu featured in victories in both the girls’ doubles and mixed doubles across the two games.
Source: Malay Mail. This article was compiled by the iBET.news newsroom from the source report and other public information.
