BANGKOK: Men’s singles shuttler Justin Hoh (pic) is ready to play a key role again when Malaysia take on Indonesia in a mouthwatering showdown in the SEA Games men’s team final tomorrow.
Justin, who has been struggling for form lately, rose to the occasion to deliver a valuable point to help Malaysia beat hosts Thailand in a tricky semi-final tie at the Thammasat University in Pathum Thani yesterday.
The world No. 38 stayed cool to secure a commanding 21-10, 21-17 win over world No. 39 Panitchapon Teeraratsakul in 40 minutes.
Malaysia went on to win the tie 3-1 with men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun delivering the other two points.
While happy with his charge’s performance, singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen insisted that the victory was a team effort and similar spirit would be needed to overcome the Indonesians.
“In a team event I don’t like to single out individuals performances but Justin was very solid today (yesterday),” said Jonassen.
“We knew it was going to be hard work against the home team with a strong support behind them but we won and can be proud of it.
“Our focus is on the final against Indonesia.”
Malaysia will continue to bank on Aaron-Wooi Yik and Wei Chong-Kai Wun to maintain their form.
The world No. 2 duo showed their experience to come away with a 21-18, 21-19 victory over Supak Jomkoh-Peeratchai Sukphun while their world No. 5 teammates had to dig deeper to beat Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-14, 18-21, 21-17 in a match lasting exactly an hour.
Earlier, Leong Jun Hao went down 15-21, 15-21 to 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
Indonesia will post an even bigger threat after denying Malaysia the gold in the 2023 edition in Cambodia.
The badminton powerhouses defeated Singapore 3-1 in the other last four tie.
Malaysia though will be keen to end a two-decade wait for the men’s team gold after last tasting success at the 2005 edition in the Philippines.
The team is 3-1, 15-21, 15-21, 15-21; 21-10, 21-17; Indonesia Bringapore 3-1 (Alwi Farhan Loh Kan Yew 15-21, 21-14, 8-21; Sabar Gutama-Junsuk For 21-18, 18-21-21-21-10; Moh Zakillah 21-2, 21-13;
Women’s the the same Xin Yi 21-8, 21-10); Indonesia bt Malaysia 3-2 (Prete Kumuma bt K. 21-9, 21-10; Rachel Allead Setiman San and Early Tan-M. Thnaah 14-21; 20-22, 21-15, 16-21;
