Malaysia beat Indonesia 2-0 to reach first Suhandinata Cup final since 2017 at World Junior Championships

Malaysia's junior shuttlers are one win away from a world title after beating Indonesia 2-0 in the semi-finals of the Suhandinata Cup, the BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships, in Cairo on Friday (Oct 9). They won 55-49, 55-42 in the relay-scoring format to reach the final for the first time since 2017. They will play China or Thailand in Saturday's final at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex.

How the first game was won

Indonesia are among the most consistent teams in this event, and the semi-final was close. In the opening boys' singles segment, Tiew Wei Jie lost 6-11 to Fardhan Rainanda Joe. Girls' doubles pair Genevie Lim and Low Zi Yu then put Malaysia ahead 22-17.

Indonesia went back in front at 33-32 after Jolin Angelia beat Carine Tee in the girls' singles segment. Low Zi Yu returned to court with Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal in the mixed doubles and moved Malaysia ahead again at 44-43. Boys' doubles pair Damien Ling and Irfan Shazmir then finished the game 55-49.

A more comfortable second game

Wei Jie made up for his opening loss by winning his second-game segment against Fardhan 11-7. Genevie and Zi Yu took the lead to 22-11, even though Indonesia changed their girls' doubles pairing.

Indonesia closed the gap to 33-28 after the girls' singles, where Carine this time beat Jolin. Zi Yu and Redzuan then pushed the score to 44-37. Redzuan and Isyraf Hafizin Ibrahim finished the tie with a 55-42 boys' doubles win. That meant no deciding game was needed.

A long wait ends

Malaysia have won the world junior mixed team title only once, in 2011. Their last final was in 2017, when they lost to China. Indonesia won the title in 2019 and 2024 and were runners-up last year, so this was a valuable win for Malaysia. It also continues Malaysia's recent good form against their neighbours at junior level. Malaysia beat Indonesia 2-1 in the group stage of the Asian Junior Championships in Japan in June, using the same relay format.

On the way to the semi-final, Malaysia beat Estonia 2-0 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday (Oct 7).

What to know about the final

Malaysia's opponent will be either defending champions China or Thailand, who played the other semi-final on Friday evening in Cairo. That result had not been confirmed in the sources checked at the time of writing. The tournament schedule puts the final at 3pm in Cairo on Saturday (Oct 10), which is 8pm in Malaysia. The final is still to be played and is flagged as a preview.

Each tie is played over three games to 55 points. Every game is a relay of boys' singles, girls' singles, boys' doubles, girls' doubles and mixed doubles segments, and each segment ends when one side reaches the next 11-point mark.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia beat Indonesia 55-49, 55-42 in the Suhandinata Cup semi-finals in Cairo on Friday (Oct 9).
• It is Malaysia's first world junior mixed team final since 2017. Their only title came in 2011.
• Low Zi Yu was a key player, winning segments in both girls' doubles and mixed doubles.
• The final against China or Thailand is scheduled for 8pm Malaysia time on Saturday (Oct 10).

FAQ

What is the Suhandinata Cup? It is the trophy for the mixed team event at the BWF World Junior Championships. The 2026 edition is being played in Cairo, Egypt, from Oct 5 to 10.

When did Malaysia last win the Suhandinata Cup? Malaysia's only win was in 2011. They also reached the final in 2017 but lost to China.

What time is the final in Malaysia? The schedule lists the final for 3pm on Saturday in Cairo, which is 8pm on Saturday in Malaysia.

Sources: The Star, New Straits Times, CNN Indonesia, Wikipedia (tournament schedule)