BRISBANE, April 6 — The national badminton squad will be down to meet group A runners-up, Scotland after topping group D in the mixed team event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The team led by world badminton champion, Datuk Lee Chong Wei confirmed their berth to the next round after thrashing Canada 4-1.

Mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie gave Malaysia the first point when they beat Nyl Yakura-Kristen Tsai 21-17, 21-12 at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

Chong Wei delivered the second point after making quick work of Jason Ho-Shue with a 21-6, 21-5 victory in about 30 minutes.

Nonetheless, women’s singles Soniia Cheah failed to keep up the winning tempo when she lost 21-14, 19-21 and 15-21 to Glasgow Commonwealth singles’ gold medallist, Michelle Li. 

Men’s doubles, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, clinched the winning point for Malaysia after crushing Nyl Yakura-Jason Ho-Shue, 21-14, 21-13.

Meanwhile, national women’s doubles, Vivian Hoo-Chan Mei Kuan took only 25 minutes to complete the match when they scalped Rachel Honderich-Kristen Tsai, 21-16, 21-9.

Earlier in the group second round against Seychelles, Malaysia received a walk-over after the team withdrew from the competition due to sufficient players.

Meanwhile, team manager Mohd Taupik Hussain said the team were on track to meet their target as set by Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

"Against Scotland, we will discuss with the coach on the list of players tomorrow. We should make it to the semi-finals,” he told Bernama tonight. — Bernama