The national men’s squad followed in the footsteps of women’s team as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the Badminton Asia Team Championships yesterday.
Malaysia bagged their second victory in Group B after defeating Nepal 5-0 at the at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad, India.
Former BWF World Junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli won the first point after overpowering Sajan Krishna Tamrakar 21-5, 21-5, before team captain Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin kept the momentum going by defeating Bishnu Katwal 21-3, 21-4.
Soong Joon Ven was entrusted to play in place of Soo Teck Zhi, who surprisingly lost on Tuesday, and he was up for the challenge as he brought down Nabin Shrestha 21-9, 21-12.
The two men’s doubles, Tan Kian Meng-Low Juan Shen and Tan Chee Tean-Tan Wee Gieen also contributed after beating Katwal-Shrestha, 21-9, 21-12 and Sudeep Sedha-Krishna Tamrakar 21-16, 21-12 respectively.
This is Malaysia’s second win after defeating Sri Lanka 4-1 on Tuesday. They have confirmed a place in the last eight alongside Japan, whom they face today in a match that will determine Group B’s winner and runner-up.
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