Jun Hao Beats World No. 1 but Both Malaysian Badminton Teams Exit in the Quarter-Finals

Badminton is one of Malaysia's main medal sports at any Asian Games. On Tuesday (22 September), at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, both of its team events ended at the quarter-final stage. There were still some encouraging performances.

Men: Jun Hao's upset not enough

Leong Jun Hao gave Malaysia the perfect start by beating world No. 1 Jonatan Christie 20-22, 21-12, 21-17 after losing the first game. Indonesia still won the tie 3-2.

Results (Malaysia vs Indonesia, 2-3):

• Leong Jun Hao beat Jonatan Christie, 20-22, 21-12, 21-17
• Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani lost to Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, 15-21, 21-19, 10-21
• Justin Hoh lost to Alwi Farhan, 19-21, 19-21
• Aaron Chia/Tee Kai Wun beat Leo Rolly Carnado/Daniel Marthin, 17-21, 21-16, 21-13
• Eogene Ewe lost to Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, 11-21, 11-21

Jun Hao explained how he turned his match around: "After finding my own rhythm, my game became much smoother," he said, as reported by Bernama. The Sun noted that the defeat means Malaysia's men's team medal drought, which goes back to Incheon 2014, continues.

Women: Pearly-Thinaah beat the world champions

The women's team faced defending champions South Korea. Korea's An Se-young gave them the lead, but Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah then beat world champions Baek Ha-na and Lee So-hee to level the tie.

Results (Malaysia vs South Korea, 1-3):

• K. Letshanaa lost to An Se-young, 12-21, 8-21
• Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah beat Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee, 22-20, 21-17
• Wong Ling Ching lost to Kim Ga-eun, 12-21, 18-21
• Cheng Su Yin/Low Zi Yu lost to Jeong Na-eun/Kim Hye-jeong, 21-18, 11-21, 22-24

The fourth match was very close. Cheng Su Yin and Low Zi Yu won the opening game and took the deciding game to extra points before losing 24-22, which sent South Korea into a semi-final against hosts Japan. Malay Mail noted that Malaysia's last women's team medal at the Asian Games was a silver at Jakarta 1962.

The positives

The results were disappointing, but there were good signs for the future:

• Jun Hao showed he can beat the world's best when he plays well.
• Pearly-Thinaah beat the reigning world champions in straight games.
• Aaron-Kai Wun came from a game down to keep the men's tie alive.

Individual events next

Malaysia's shuttlers still have the individual events to play, which The Star reported start on 25 September. Badminton was named among Malaysia's 13 target sports, so the individual draws now carry the country's badminton medal hopes in Japan.

Key takeaways

• Malaysia's men lost 3-2 to Indonesia and the women lost 3-1 to South Korea in the team quarter-finals.
• Leong Jun Hao beat world No. 1 Jonatan Christie in three games.
• Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah beat world champions Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee 22-20, 21-17.
• The individual badminton events start on 25 September.

FAQ

Who knocked Malaysia out of the team events? Indonesia beat the men 3-2, and defending champions South Korea beat the women 3-1.

Did any Malaysian beat a top-ranked opponent? Yes. Leong Jun Hao beat world No. 1 Jonatan Christie, and Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah beat world champions Baek Ha-na/Lee So-hee.

Is Malaysia's badminton campaign over? No. The individual events begin on 25 September.

Sources: Bernama, Malay Mail, The Sun, The Star