KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s junior shuttlers are just one match away from securing a second consecutive podium finish in the mixed team event (Suhandinata Cup) at the World Junior Championships.
Malaysia, who claimed bronze last year in Spokane, United States, have reached the quarter-finals of this year’s edition in Nanchang, China, after winning all four of their Group C matches against Mongolia (110-48), Norway (110-51), Estonia (110-61), and the Netherlands (110-53).
Only the winners of groups A to H will progress to the top eight knockout stage.
Speaking to Scoop today, junior head coach Jeffer Rosobin, who will be transitioning to the women’s singles department after this, said the players have adapted well to the new relay format–11 points per game, 10 games, with a race to 110 points.
The Indonesian, who guided the Malaysian juniors to one silver and three bronze medals at the Asian Junior Championships in July, remains confident of another podium finish at the world meet.
Malaysia will face Group D winners Denmark tomorrow.
“Our players’ performances have been really solid so far, and we are taking it one match at a time.
“Yes, I remain confident in our players, and that we can win tomorrow’s tie,” said Jeffer.
Unlike Malaysia, Denmark encountered some resistance in their last two group matches against New Zealand (110-70) and the United Arab Emirates (110-92) en route to topping their group.
The last and only time Malaysia won gold in the mixed team event was in 2011. — October 2, 2024