Malaysia made three finals out of the five individual events in badminton on a day of mixed fortunes for the hosts at the Axiata Arena in KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil on Monday.
While assured of the gold and silver in the women’s singles which will be an all-Malaysia final between Soniia Cheah and Goh Jin Wei, Malaysia will also feature in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles final.
It was a day of mixed fortunes for the Malaysians in the last four when Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei were bundled out of contention. The 2013 Sea Games gold medallists in Myanmar and silver medallists at the Singapore Sea Games in 2015 failed to make the final.
The second seeds were beaten by Thailand’s Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 21-17, 20-22, 17-21 in 72 minutes.
In the men’s doubles Malaysia’s No 2 pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi served a stunner to upset top seeds Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet in straight games for a 21-12, 21-15 win in only 26 minutes.
Their opponents in the final are another Thai pair Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh. The fourth seeds upstaged second seeds Fajar Alfian-Mohammad Rian Ardianto of Indonesia 21-17, 23-21.
In the mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai are through to the gold medal match at the expense of fourth seeds Bodin Isara-Savitree Amitrapai of Thailand. The second seeded Malaysians triumphed 18-21, 26-24, 21-18.
It is another hurdle for Malaysia in the mixed doubles final. Soon Huat-Shevon face top seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai who staved off Chan Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See’s challenge for a 21-16, 18-21, 23-21 triumph in 76 minutes.
Goh Jin Wei, bronze medallists in her first Sea Games in Singapore in 2015, will battle compatriot and fourth seed Soniia Cheah for the gold medal.
Jin Wei, 17, upset Thailand’s third seed Pornpawee Chochuwong 21-9, 10-21, 21-18 in a 59-minute thriller which had the packed stadium rooting for her throughout.
Earlier, Soniia, the fourth seed, ended Indonesia’s hope Gregoria Mariska giant killing run in the tournament. The lanky Malaysian registered a straight games 22-20, 21-13 win over the Indonesian.
Mariska had ousted defending champion Busanan Ongbamrungphan’s run in the quarter-finals.
“This is a dream. After winning our quarter-final matches we were hoping for an all-Malaysia final.
“Now that it has happened and it does not matter who wins the title as the gold is for the country,” said Soniia after her win over Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska.
For Jin Wei reaching the final gives her the chance of landing the gold after winning the bronze medal in her debut Sea Games in Singapore in 2015.
“Soniia is my senior and I hope to learn something from her in the final. I hope to give my best in the final although I have never beaten Soniia in tournaments and training,” said the 17-year-old Jin Wei.
Both, Soniia and Jin Wei thanked the vociferous home fans for their support in the semi-finals.
RESULTS (SEMI-FINALS)
Men’s singles
Jonatan Christie (Ina) beat Nguyen Tien Minh (Vie) 21-11, 21-16
Khosit Phetpradab (Tha) beat Mustofa Ihsan Maulana (Ina) 21-10, 23-21
Men’s doubles
Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (Mas) beat Bodin Isara-Nipitphon Phuangphuapet (Tha) 21-12, 21-15
Women’s singles
Soniia Cheah (Mas) beat Gregoria Mariska (Ina) 22-20. 21-13
Goh Jin Wei (Mas) beat Pornpawee Chochuwong (Tha) 21-9, 10-21, 21-18
Women’s doubles
Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Projongjai (Tha) beat Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (Mas) 17-21, 22-20, 21-17
Puttita Supajarakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) beat Thi Phuong Hong Dinh-Do Thi Hoai (Veit) 21-12, 21-6
Mixed doubles
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (Mas) beat Bodin Isara-Savitree Amitrapai (Tha) 18-21, 26-24, 21-18
Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (Tha) beat Chang Peng Soon-Cheah Yee See (Mas) 21-16, 18-21, 23-21
