Penang end Sarawak shuttlers’ medal hope

SIBU: Sarawak shuttlers went down 1-3 to Penang in the 21st Malaysia Games (SUKMA) badminton competition, settling for fourth place in the group stage.

They started the games strongly when their women’s singles player Wong Ling Ching, as expected, defeated Penang’s Lim Zhi Shin in straight sets, 21-19 and 21-13.

Meanwhile, in the men’s singles, Goh Shun Huat’s goal of securing a point for the home team was thwarted by Ong Zhen Yi.

Despite Goh’s efforts to challenge Ong, he lost 16-21 in the first set and 15-21 in the second, which not only dashed his hopes of pushing the match to a rubber game but also dealt a blow to his team.

In the mixed doubles, Sarawak fielded Jeremy Juan Zhen Liang and Kashley Kho Tze Yin against the Penang’s Rayner Beh Chun Meng-Khor Jing Wen.

The Sarawak mixed pair managed to win the first set with a score of 21-15.

However, their joy was shortlived as Rayner and Khor made a comeback in the second set, defeating Jeremy and Kashley 21-9 and forcing the match into a decider.

The Penang players ended Sarawak’s hopes of securing a point for their team by taking the third set  21-10.

Determined to make a comeback, Sarawak sent their women’s doubles players Genevie Lim Tsin Yeen and Lee Zi Suen against Lee Xin Jie and Tan Zhing Yi.

Unfortunately, the Sarawak pair were unable to help their team progress further in the group stage, losing 9-21 and 10-21 to Penang.

Penang took the bronze, while Selangor won the gold, leaving the Federal Territories to settle for silver.