Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin in action against Kazakhstan’s Niyazov Artur at the Setia City Convention Centre in Shah Alam, February 17, 2022. — Bernama pic
SHAH ALAM, Feb 17 — The Malaysian second stringers smashed minnows Kazakhstan 5-0 to advance into the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) 2022 semi-finals, as well as qualify for the Thomas Cup.
Despite resting top singles shuttlers, Lee Zii Jia, Ng Tze Yong and Leong Jun Hao as well as top doubles pair, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who helped Malaysia hammer Singapore 5-0 yesterday, the youngsters managed to live up to the occasion by trouncing Kazakhstan, which is better known for other sports like boxing and weightlifting.
The 22-year-old Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, 22, got the ball rolling at the Setia City Convention Centre here, defeating 29-year-old Artur Niyazov 21-11, 21-12.
Another youngster, Lim Chong King doubled the score by beating Khaitmurat Kulmatov 21-21, 21-11, while the youngest member in the team, Jacky Kok Jing Hong, 20, confirmed the winning point for Malaysia, thrashing Makhsut Tajibullayev 21-8, 21-4.
The remaining last two doubles matches were like a stroll in the park for Malaysia, as Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun won against Jangir Ibrayey-Ilya Lysenko 21-5, 21-5 in just 17 minutes, while Goh Sze Fei- Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani defeated Andrey Shalagin-Tajibullayey 21-8, 21-4 in 15 minutes to conclude with the perfect 5-0 win. — Bernama