NAYPITAW, Dec 13 — The national badminton squad is almost definitely going to win at least four bronze medals following their successes in beating their opponents at the quarter-finals at the Winna Theikdi B Closed Stadium here today.
Goh V Shem and Teo Kok Siang sprang the biggest surprise after beating second seed from Thailand, Maneepong Jongjit and Nipitphon Puangpuapech; 23-21, 14-21, 21-16.
Lim Khim Wah and Ow Yao Han, however, were given a stiff fight by Vietnamese pair, Minh Bao-Nguyen Khang Huynh before winning 22-20, 19-21, 21-12 in another men's doubles match.
The national women's junior pair, Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Woon Khe Wei continued the excellent performance of the national badminton squad after an easy win, 21-8 and 21-8 against host pair, Hlaing Mon Kyu and Htoo Ya Htoo.Tan Aik Quan and Lai Pei Jing in turn confirmed their semi-finals slot after beating Vietnamese pair, Manh Thang Dao and Nhu Thao Pham; 21-14 and 21-16 in
the mixed doubles.
The national badminton squad's challenge in the individual event at this edition fizzled out after two Malaysian representatives, namely, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Yang Li Lian lost to their opponents.
Iskandar Zulkarnain was beaten 10-21 and 15-21 by Indonesian Prasetyo Wisnu Yuli in the men's category while Yang lost 16-21 and 15-21 to another Indonesian player, Bellaetrix Manuputty in the women's category.
Meanwhile, V Shem when met by reporters after the match, said he was proud of beating the Indonesian pair, hoping they could wrest back the gold medal for the men's doubles which was last won by Chong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah at the 2003 edition in Vietnam.
This differed with Iskandar who failed to hide his disappointment admitting he was stressed at having to shoulder the burden of getting a medal for the country after Chong Wei Feng's shock loss on Tuesday.
The semi-finals competition of the badminton event would take place tomorrow at the same venue before closing a day later. — Bernama
