It will be a repeat final of the last SEA Games in the women’s team final between defending champions Thailand and Malaysia after both won their respective semi-final matches.
Thailand smashed Singapore 3-0 while Malaysia stopped Indonesia by a similar score in the semis played at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Wednesday.
The gold medal match will be played at the same venue on Thursday.
Soniia Chead delivered the first point for Malaysia when she upset Fitriani Fitriani 21-17, 21-17 in the first singles in 44 minutes. It was a morale boosting first point for the homesters who also had luck on their side in winning their second point.
Malaysia’s number one women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei were on the court for only eight minutes against Ni Ketut Maheswari Istarani-Rosyita Eka Putri Sari with the score 7-5 in their favour when the Indonesians quit.
Rsoyita retired with a left knee injury when she landed awkwardly while retrieving a shot.
Indonesia women’s head coach Eng Hian said: “It is unfortunate Rosyita injured her knee. We do not know the extent of the injury and will wait for the medical report before deciding on the individual events.”
With a 2-0 lead and in the driving seat it was left to former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei to wrap it up with the winning point – notching a 21-16, 21-13 win over Hanna Ramadhani in the second women’s singles.
Thailand were far too strong against Singapore with defending women’s singles champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan romping to a 21-7, 21-12 win over Yeo Jia Min for the opening point.
Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsiree Taerattannachai garnered the second point with a 21-12, 21-17 win over Ong Ren-He-Crystal Wong Jia Ying before Nitchaon Jindapol secured the winner – crushing Grace Chua Hui Zhen 21-4, 21-15 in the second singles.
Malaysia last won the women’s team gold in the Laos SEA Games in 2009. At the last SEA Games in Singapore the Thais took the gold with a 3-0 win over Malaysia.
RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
Malaysia beat Indonesia 3-0
(Malaysia first)
MS: Soniia Cheah beat Fitriani Fitriani 21-17, 21-17
WD1: Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei beat Ni Ketut Maheswai Istarani 7-5 (rtd)
WS2: Goh Jin Wei beat Hanna Ramadhani 21-16, 21-13
Thailand beat Singapore 3-0
(Thailand first)
WS1: Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Yeo Jia Min 21-7, 21-12
WD1: Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsire Taerattanachai beat Ong Ren-He-Crystal Wong Jia Ying 21-13, 21-17
WS2: Nitchaon Jindapol beat Grace Chua Hui Zhen 21-4, 21-15
