KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Malaysia qualified for the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia Junior Championships (BAJC) for the first time since 2018 when they staged a come-from-behind 3-2 win over India in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, today.
The national team started their quarter-final match today on the wrong footing when mixed doubles pair Kang Khai Xing-Aqilah Ramdan went down to Sanskar Saraswat-Shravani Walekar 16-21, 21-13, 17-21.
India extended their lead through girls’ singles player Tanvi Sharm, who defeated Siti Zulaikha Azmi 21-15, 15-21, 22-20.
However, boys’ singles shuttler Muhammad Faiq Masawi sparked a comeback for the national team when he prevailed against Pranay Shettigar 15-21, 21-18, 21-19 before girls’ doubles duo Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting levelled the tie for Malaysia by overcoming Navya Kanderi-Shravani Walekar 21-16, 21-15.
Kang, who returned to the court with Aaron Tai for the boys’ doubles match, turned hero for Malaysia as they beat Bhargav Ram Arigela-Arsh Mohammad 21-18, 21-10 to secure a last-four spot for the country.
In the semi-finals, Malaysia will play eight-time champions China, who ousted Taiwan 3-0 earlier today.
Last year, the national squad failed to go past the quarter-finals, losing 0-3 to Thailand, also in Yogyakarta.
The last time Malaysia won a medal in the mixed team event was in 2018, when they clinched bronze at the championship in Jakarta.
— Bernama
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