Men’s badminton team reaches the SEA Games final after a 3-1 win over Thailand, setting up a gold medal clash with arch-rivals Indonesia.
NATIONAL men’s doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun delivered the decisive blow to send Malaysia into the SEA Games men’s team badminton final.
The world number five duo overcame Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-14, 18-21, 21-17 at Gymnasium 4, Thammasat University Rangsit Campus.
The victory sealed a 3-1 semi-final win for Malaysia over the hosts, moving them one step closer to ending a two-decade wait for the team gold medal.
Malaysia had fallen behind early when singles player Leong Jun Hao lost 15-21, 15-21 to Thailand’s 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
The momentum swung when 2022 world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik restored parity with a 21-18, 21-19 win over Supak Jomkoh-Peeratchai Sukphun.
Second singles shuttler Justin Hoh then pushed Malaysia ahead with a 21-10, 21-17 victory over Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul.
That set the stage for Wei Chong-Kai Wun to step up and seal Malaysia’s place in the final for a fifth consecutive edition.
Despite the feat, Wei Chong felt there was little to celebrate as the pair could have closed the match in straight sets.
“Maybe in the second set they changed the gameplay and it kind of broke our rhythm,” Kai Wun told reporters.
“We don’t know yet which pair we will play, so we just have to prepare ourselves.”
Malaysia will face arch-rivals Indonesia in the final this Wednesday, seeking to avenge their loss in the 2023 edition final.
Indonesia booked their place by defeating Singapore 3-1 in the other semi-final.
