BATC championship after defeating Japan
February 17, 2024
Lee Zii Jia started the national campaign well when contributing the first point easily defeating Kenta Nishimoto, 21-18, 21-15. - Image file
Malaysia is one step away from defending the BATC championship after defeating Japan
Lee Zii Jia started the national campaign well when contributing the first point easily defeating Kenta Nishimoto, 21-18, 21-15. - Image file
THE national men's team is one step away from defending their title as they advance to the final of the Badminton Asia Team Championship (BATC) after defeating Japan 3-1 in the semi-finals here today.
The national professional singles player, Lee Zii Jia started the national campaign well when he contributed the first point easily defeating Kenta Nishimoto, 21-18,21-15 in the match which took place at the Setia City Convention Center here.
The success momentum was continued by the bronze medal pair of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik when they rose to beat Akira Koga-Taichi Saito 15-21, 21-17, 21-10.
However, singles player Leong Jun Hao, who was seen to be enthusiastic, did not overcome Koki Watanabe's obstacle when he was defeated 21-19, 12-21, 19-21 in 88 minutes of the match.
The presence of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzudin Nur Rumsani cheered up the national camp again when they once again contributed to the winning point in 54 minutes of the match over Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura 21-15, 21-19.
Tomorrow, Malaysia will face a tough match against China at 4pm, after the big walled nation defeated South Korea 3-2 in another semi-final match.
In the edition two years ago that took place at the same venue, the national team emerged as champions for the first time after beating Indonesia 3-0 in the final stage.
Meanwhile, the women's final will see India and Thailand face off at 10am tomorrow.
India eliminated Japan 3-2 and Thailand beat Indonesia 3-1 in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Zii Jia, who had to be rested due to sinus problems in the quarter-final action against Taiwan yesterday, informed that he still has not reached a hundred percent fitness level today.
The 26-year-old player, however, said the support of the local fans has boosted his spirit to fight to contribute valuable points for the national team.
"Not 100 percent today but we don't want to happen like yesterday. As long as the conditions are good, I definitely want to play in the final," he said.
