Jakarta: After disappointment in the team event, Malaysian shuttlers started strong in the Asian Games individual event on Thursday with all doubles pairs advancing to the second round.
World No. 11 men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong comfortably eased past Thai duo Kittinupong Kedren/Dechapol Puavaranukroh 21-15, 21-16. Goh/Tan will play Shrestha Nabin/Shrestha Bikash of Nepal on Friday before taking on World No. 1 Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon in the quarter-finals.
“Today’s match was easy before our opponents were not very strong, but the drift in the stadium definitely affected some of our shots.”
“The drift could cause problem if we are playing other top players.”
“Tomorrow’s match will be a good preparation for us before meeting Kevin/Marcus,” said Goh.
Also in the second round were another men’s pair Teo Ee Yi/Ong Yew Sin, mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying, Goh Soon Huat/Shevon Lai and female doubles pair Chow Mei Kuan/Lee Meng Yean.
In women’s singles, World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying who had a first round bye, will start her first match in the individual event on Friday by meeting Cheung Nganyi of Hong Kong, while Nozomi Okuhara of Japan will take on He Bingjiao of China in the second round.
