SHAH ALAM – Independent women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei left no room for error at the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships first group match against the United Arab Emirates, winning her opening game at Setia City Convention Centre here today.
The 24-year-old, who has been stepping up her preparations for the tournament by training her teammates at Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara since early this month, was the first to take the court against Nurani Ratu Azzahra.
The 31st-ranked Jin Wei’s energetic gameplay gave Malaysia a solid start as she easily cruised past the world number 129 with a score of 21-13, 21-9 in 29 minutes.
“It’s a good start for me, and I would say that this game was a warm-up for me before the Thailand match because I’m not sure whether I will be playing tomorrow.
“I know the Chinese New Year celebrations are still going on, but my country and my team are more important to me than anything else, and they have always been my top priority.
“I didn’t attend many training sessions with my teammates at ABM as I was unwell. But I gave my 100% in every training session that I joined since February 5, and I’m happy to see the results on the pitch,” said Jin Wei after the match.
The subsequent match saw K. Letshanaa win a second point for Malaysia by defeating Madhumitha Sundarapandian 21-11, 21-14 in 28 minutes.
In the third women’s singles match, 21-year-old Wong Ling Ching easily defeated Sreeyuktha Sreejith Parol 21-4, 21-12, in 24 minutes, giving Malaysia a 3-0 lead.
More positive results ensued in the fourth game after the match when top women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah emerged triumphant in their clash against Nayonika Rajesh-Madhumitha Sundarapandian with a straight-set win of 21-4, 21-5.
“It’s just another team event that we can play together and we are just happy that we can play for this year’s BATC,” said Thinaah, who is also the national women’s team captain, after the match.
Tan Zhing Yi-Teoh Mei Xing added to the icing on the cake for Malaysia by defeating Zainaba Reem Siraj and Sreeyuktha Sreejith, 21-4, 21-14, to make the score 5-0.
Malaysia’s qualification to the quarter-finals is certain with today’s win, as they currently sit in second place in Group Y behind Thailand, while the UAE has been eliminated after facing two consecutive defeats.
The Malaysian women’s team will take on Thailand in their second group stage match tomorrow.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage before a fresh draw is conducted for the last eight.
Additionally, the top four teams from both the men’s and women’s events will qualify for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in China, taking place from April 28 to May 5, 2024. — February 14, 2024