Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal carried the tactical guidance of recovering coach Pang Cheh Chang into the opening matches as Malaysia launched their World Junior Championships mixed team campaign with a 2-0 victory over Slovenia in Cairo, Egypt on Monday, Oct 5.
Coach Pang’s Absence Shapes Redzuan’s Approach
The 52-year-old coach is not with the national squad as he continues to recover after being hospitalised when he nearly fainted during the National Under-18 Championships in Alor Setar three weeks prior. Despite his absence from the Cairo International Stadium, Redzuan noted that the squad maintained its focus through the established preparation routines.
“I will remember his message to me and do what he told me to do,” Redzuan said regarding the instructions left behind by Cheh Chang. “At this worlds, I don’t want to think too far ahead. I just want to stay calm when I go into each match.”
Redzuan added that he deliberately avoided looking at the tournament draw to prevent unnecessary psychological pressure, a principle reinforced by coaching staff members Hoon Thien How, Hazwan Jamaluddin, and Cheh Chang.
Asian Junior Champions Lead Opening Sweeps
Redzuan entered the competition carrying the status of Asian junior mixed doubles champion, having secured that title alongside Low Zi Yu in July. The Malaysian side established early momentum in the opening match against Slovenia through Kong Wei Xiang, who defeated Matic Cerar 11-9 in the boys’ singles. Carine Tee subsequently extended the lead to 22-19 by overcoming Tinkara Alic.
Redzuan paired with Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim to take a 33-21 advantage against Nikita Peshekhonov and Jurij Jeceli in the boys’ doubles. Genevie Lim and Zi Yu then pushed the score to 44-25 over Tinkara Alic and Tija Horvat, before Redzuan and Zi Yu closed out the first game at 55-27 against Peshekhonov and Horvat.
Dominant Second-Game Performance Secures Victory
Malaysia exerted even greater control during the second phase of the encounter. Tiew Wei Jie opened with an 11-2 victory over Peshekhonov, and Lee Kay Xin stretched the margin to 22-7 by defeating Horvat.
Damien Ling and Irfan Shazmir advanced the score to 33-11 against Cerar and Maks Mattias. Rachel Tan and Teh Xin Ying added another layer with a 44-10 result over Alic and Horvat. Irfan and Genevie ultimately sealed the 2-0 sweep by posting a 55-2 score against Cerar and Alic in the mixed doubles.
Group A1 Standing Matchup Against Poland
Malaysia face Poland on Tuesday, Oct 5, with a victory guaranteeing the team top spot in Group A1 of the tournament.
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