# Malaysians come from behind for a 3-1 over Indonesia
# Malaysia to face Thailand in the semi-finals
# Defending champions China face Japan in repeat semi-final
By Rizal Abdullah
Malaysia swept to a stunning come-from-behind 3-1 win over runners-up Indonesia to reach the semi-finals in the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships in Bilbao, Spain on Friday.
Champions of the Suhandinata Cup in 2011 – Malaysia’s only success in the mixed team event – Malaysia are thus assured of a bronze medal in Bilboa.
The success in Bilbao is a big achievement for the Malaysians who never reached the last four after the 2011 success in Taipei. Malaysia were also runners-up in 2009 in Alor Setar
Indonesia were highly favoured in the quarter-finals after kn knocking out the much touted two-time champions South Korea 3-0 to reach last eight.
In fact Indonesia took the first point through their mixed doubles Rinov Rivaldy-Apriani Rahayu who beat Ooi Zi Heng-Pearly Tan Koong Le 18-21, 21-14, 21-14 in 53 minute encounter.
Malaysia, however, struck back in the singles- through Lee Zii Jia (men’s) and Goh Jin Wei (girl’s) to lead 2-1.
Zii Jia (pix) gunned down Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-15, 21-11 in 29 minutes before reigning world junior champion Jin Wei put the brakes on Gregoria Mariska 21-15, 21-14 in 35 minutes.
The inspiring performance in the singles was motivation for the men’s doubles pair of Chen Tang Jie-Chong Man Wei to deliver the winning point. This they duly did in style – a 21-19, 21-17 win over Muhammad Fachrikar-Bagas Maulana in 33 minutes.
“Malaysians played very well in the match (men’s doubles) we were expected to win,” Indonesia team manager Fung Permadi was quoted as saying on the BWF website.
“It was a 50-50 match but our boys and girls performed very well…the team has good spirit to win,” said Malaysia team manager Dato Syed Abu Bakar Abdullah.
In the semi-final Malaysia will face Thailand, 3-2 winners over a gritty India while defending champions China will face bronze medal winners Japan in a repeat clash at the last world meet held in Lima, Peru.
Japan were too good for Europe hope Denmark and strolled to a 3-0 win. China had no difficulty against Taiwan with an easy 3-0 win.
RESULTS (QUARTER-FINALS)
Malaysia beat Indonesia 3-1
(Malaysia first)
Men’s singles
Lee Zii Jia beat Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-15, 21-11
Men’s doubles
Chen Tang Jie-Chong Man Wei beat Muhammad Fachrikar-Bagas Maulana 21-19, 21-17
Women’s singles
Goh Jin Wei beat Gregoria Mariska 21-15, 21-11
Mixed doubles
Ooi Zi Heng-Pearly Tan Koong Le lost to Rinov Rivaldy- Apriani Rahayu 21-18, 14-21, 14-21
