16/06/2024
Malaysia dominated the finals of the 2024 Asian Team Squash Championships by sweeping both the men's and women's team titles in Dalian, Liaoning province, China, today.
Squash: Malaysia swept the Asian team championship titles
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia dominated the finals of the 2024 Asian Team Squash Championship by sweeping both the men's and women's team titles in Dalian, Liaoning province, China, today.
The national women's team successfully reclaimed the championship by defeating defending champions Hong Kong 2-0.
The national women's squash queen N.Sivasangari started Malaysia's winning streak by contributing the first point by overcoming Ho Tze Lok, in a five-set battle, according to the website https://worldsquash.tv/sportitem/6644bb3a2573fe036b95bd57.
World number 10 and Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games champion Sivasangari recorded a stunning comeback after trailing in the first set to win 3-2 (10-12, 13-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-8).
The country's second singles Rachel Arnold clearly continued the winning momentum to confirm the absolute victory when she upset Tong Tsz Wing 3-0 (11-6, 11-5, 11-8).
This rousing victory confirmed Malaysia's sweet revenge against Hong Kong who had destroyed their hopes of back-to-back titles in the 2022 final.
National coach Shahril Shahidan praised Sivasangari's resilience and highlighted Rachel's focus and composure in the final.
"Sivasangari made a good comeback...it was an up-and-down match for him today, especially when playing relaxed. In the last set, he was 7-2 down but after that he played very well.
"Rachel showed her best performance and focused after leading 1-0. We didn't expect Tong not to play well because she might be under pressure to win," he said.
Meanwhile, the national men's squad sparked excitement by edging out Hong Kong 2-1.
National number one Ng Eain Yow got off to a flying start in the final when he beat Lau Tsz Kwan 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-8) but the scores were then tied at 1-1 after Addeen Idrakie lost to Henry Leung 1-3 (11-4, 7-11, 2-11, 7-11).
However, the world number 130 player, Ameeshenraj Chandaran emerged as the national hero when he recovered from the first set defeat to beat the world number 88 player Tang Ming Hong 3-1 (8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4).
It is the second title won by the national men's squad in the last three editions after emerging as champions in 2021
