Malaysia Defeat Indonesia to Seal Group D Crown at Asian Junior Mixed Team Championships
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia wrapped up the group stage of the Asian Junior Mixed Team Badminton Championships in impressive fashion after overcoming Indonesia 2-1 to finish as Group D champions in Yatsushiro, Japan, extending their unbeaten run into the quarter-finals.
Having already secured qualification for the knockout stage with a victory over South Korea a day earlier, the Malaysian youngsters entered their final group fixture aiming to top the standings. Although both teams had already booked quarter-final places, the encounter remained highly competitive with first place in the group on the line.
Malaysia established early control through the men’s doubles pairing of Damien Ling and Irfan M. Shazmir. The duo faced strong resistance from Muhammad Rizki Mubarrok and Raihan Daffa Edsel Pramono before edging a closely contested opening match 11-10.
The women’s doubles partnership of Genevie Lim and Low Zi Yu then strengthened Malaysia’s position with a composed display against Selsi Josika and Aurelia Syakira Putri, claiming a comfortable 22-15 victory.
Momentum continued to favour Malaysia as Carine Tee defeated Mayla Cahya Alfian Pratiwi 33-27 in the women’s singles, while mixed doubles pair Ahmad Redzuan and Low Zi Yu overcame Raihan Daffa and Atresia Naufa Candani 44-36.
Men’s singles player Kong Wei Xiang completed an excellent opening sequence by defeating Radithya Bayu Wardhana 55-51, giving Malaysia a commanding first-set performance.
Indonesia, however, responded strongly in the second set. Malaysia initially looked set to close out the tie after Isyraf Hafizin and Ahmad Redzuan won their men’s doubles match 11-9 before Genevie and Zi Yu added another point with a 22-18 victory over Selsi and Aurelia.
The momentum shifted when Carine narrowly lost 31-33 to Mayla. Indonesia capitalised further as Ahmad Redzuan and Zi Yu fell 42-44 in the mixed doubles before Wei Xiang was beaten 49-55 by Radithya, levelling the overall contest at 1-1 and forcing a decisive final set.
Malaysia responded positively under pressure. Damien and Irfan once again provided the breakthrough by defeating Muhammad Rizki and Raihan 11-9 to restore confidence within the team.
Genevie and Zi Yu maintained their outstanding form by overcoming Halifia Usni Pratiwi and Aurelia 22-17. Carine then produced one of the most dramatic moments of the tie, recovering from her earlier disappointment to edge Mayla 33-32 in a closely fought women’s singles match.
The mixed doubles pair of Ahmad Redzuan and Zi Yu also bounced back, defeating Raihan and Atresia 44-40 before Wei Xiang sealed the overall victory with a 55-48 triumph over Fardhan Rainanda Joe.
The result confirmed Malaysia as Group D winners and provided another confidence boost heading into the quarter-finals. With every player contributing across the team event and showing resilience after Indonesia’s comeback, the national junior squad now carries valuable momentum into the knockout stage as it continues its pursuit of the Asian junior team title.
