AICHI, Sept 21 — Malaysia cruised past Mongolia 3-0 in the first round of the men’s badminton team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium here today.

Malaysia, however, can expect a sterner test in the last eight tomorrow as they will be up against top seeds Indonesia.

Against Mongolia, Leong Jun Hao delivered Malaysia’s first point when he defeated Batdavaa Munkhbat 21-13, 21-12 in the first singles.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani then doubled Malaysia’s lead when they trounced Bishrelt-Erdene Odbayar-Battugs Bayarsaikhan 21-5, 21-5 in the doubles, before Justin Hoh sealed a 3-0 triumph with a 21-7, 21-5 win over Gerelsukh Jargalsaikhan in the second singles.

National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said the opening game against Mongolia was crucial for the players to get an early feel of the courts and the environment before they take on Indonesia in the quarter-finals.

“While the result against Mongolia was expected, it at least gave us the opportunity to try out the venue and get a feel of the environment. Hopefully, the players will use it to their advantage,” he said, while reminding the shuttlers not to worry about Indonesia’s top seed status. — Bernama