Malaysia Men's Squad Wins Badminton Asia Team Championships Title For The First Time
It was a groundbreaking 3-0 win against defending champion Indonesia.
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Malaysia clinched the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) title for the first time ever on Sunday, 20 February
The national men's team beat defending champion Indonesia with a groundbreaking 3-0 win in the finals at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam.
Indonesia has been dominating the fairly new biennial tournament with three consecutive wins since the tournament began in 2016.
Image via Aswadi Alias/New Straits Times
First men's singles player Lee Zii Jia secured the first point by beating Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 14-21, 21-12, 21-10 in 50 minutes
World number seven doubles players Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik then came through a strong challenge against world 28 Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin to prevail 17-21, 21-13, 21-18.
Rising star Ng Tze Yong finally took home the championship point in straight sets 21-14, 21-15 against Ikhsan Leonardo Imanuel Rumbay in the second singles.
Men's singles Lee (back) battling against his opponent Chico Aura.
Image via Bernama/The Borneo Post
Chia and Soh celebrating their win against Leo Rolly and Daniel in the doubles game.
Image via Aswadi Alias/New Straits Times
Ng celebrating after downing Ikhsan in the second singles game.
Image via Aswadi Alias/New Straits Times
The win has the players looking forward to the Thomas Cup finals in Bangkok in May with renewed confidence
"It's good to win today even though I am still not at my best," singles player Lee told the media on Sunday, as quoted by New Straits Times.
"Overall, it is also a good experience for the other players such as Tze Yong, and hopefully they continue this fine development to make us a stronger team for the Thomas Cup finals.
"Tze Yong in particular has been taking up more responsibility and I am definitely happy to see that."
To the delight of fans, Lee had beaten men's singles world champion Singaporean Loh Kean Yew in his first match at the tournament:
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