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| Ng Eain Yow (left) was just too strong for Japan, winning 3-0 at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China, on Wednesday. |
The boys, led by by individual silver and bronze medallists Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Ng Eain Yow respectively, were just too strong for Japan, winning 3-0 on Wednesday.
Third choice Darren Chan gave the team the perfect start by thrashing Yamato Sonobe 12-10, 11-3, 11-2 before Eain Yow sealed the tie by beating Yusuke Ogata 11-3, 11-5, 11-1.
Syafiq, who lost in the individual final to India’s Kush Kumar, was given a scare by Ryonsuke Tsukue before prevailing 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9.
Their third win in Group B guarantees them a place in the last four. Malaysia had defeated Indonesia and Kuwait by similar 3-0 scorelines a day earlier.
The boys will wrap up their group matches against Hong Kong and minnows Thailand. They will be eager for a win against Hong Kong in order to top the group.
If they can get the better of Hong Kong, they are likely to face Jordan in the semi-finals.
The girls, led by Vanessa Raj, were also in top form as they thrashed Japan 3-0 in Group A.
Celine Yeap set the tone by beating Ayaka Shiraishi 11-4, 11-4, 11-2 before Rachel Arnold made sure of victory by beating Momoka Nakahira 11-8, 11-2, 11-5.
In the dead rubber, individual gold medalist Vanessa Raj was barely troubled by Satomi Watanabe, winning 11-9, 11-5, 11-5.
The girls, however, face a tougher task in the semi-finals as they will be up against Group B runners-up India.
“It’s a good result for the boys and the girls. The boys, in particular, played well despite having a more hectic schedule,” said national junior coach Andrew Cross.
“It was a really easy match for the girls but they’ll have their work cut out for them when they face India in the semi-finals.”
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