wilfredlgf
02-16-2004, 05:40 PM
REPORTS BY RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia took a big step forward towards winning a place in the Uber Cup Finals on merit for the first time with an sensational 3-2 upset win over fancied Hong Kong yesterday.
The odds were stacked against the Malaysian women in their opening Group A tie of the Asian Zone qualifying tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras. They were up against a side led by world number four Wang Chen.
But the Malaysians gave a Herculean effort to beat the third seeded Hong Kong in a battle which lasted for almost five hours.
The points that won the tie came from the second and third singles, played by Woon Sze Mei and youngster Norsyahliza Baharum respectively, and the first doubles pair of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty.
Malaysia will play against Japan today followed by ties against Macau and India. Their victory over Hong Kong has certainly boosted their chances of qualifying for the Finals, which will be played in Jakarta in May.
Malaysia have featured in the Uber Cup Finals four times – in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 2000. And they were in the fray on all occasions by virtue of being the hosts.
“The team have won half of the battle with the victory over Hong Kong,” said doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit.
“All of them were ranked lower than the Hong Kong players but they played their hearts out. I am very pleased with their performances. I hope they will give another fighting display against Japan tomorrow.”
Surprisingly, it was 27-year-old Sze Mei who put Malaysia back on track for victory.
Malaysia were 0-1 down after Mew Choo was beaten 11-8, 3-11, 1-11 by China-born Wang Chen in the first singles. But Mew Choo's efforts to take a game off Wang Chen for the first time in three meeting certainly inspired her teammates.
Sze Mei, who had suffered defeats by youngsters in the National Grand Prix Finals last month, was up next. And the player ranked at number 193 in the world rose to the occasion to beat the 35th ranked Ling Wan Ting 11-6, 11-7 in 38 minutes.
“I have never played against her before. She panicked when I kept sending the shuttle back to her, engaging her in long rallies. She made quite a number of mistakes. I am glad I was able to rise to the occasion today,” said Sze Mei.
The 17-year-old Norsyahliza showed no indication of her inexperience in a major international tournament. With the support of more than 50 of her schoolmates at the Bukit Jalil Sports School behind her, Norsyahliza gave a crafty show to score a convincing 11-9, 11-6 win over Louisa Koon Wai Chee.
The pressure was now on Hong Kong to save the tie. And the Malaysian scratch pair of Fong Chew Yen-Ooi Sock Ai certainly did not make it easy for them, especially in the first game against Wang Chen-Li Ming Mui, who won the match 14-17, 2-15.
Hopes were now on Manchester Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Eei Hui-Pei Tty to win the tie for Malaysia.
There were a few heart stopping moments but the duo delivered the winning point in an 80-minute thriller against Hong Kong's Wan Ting-Louisa, who were beaten 7-15, 15-12, 10-15.
Said a tired but delighted Pei Tty: “We should have won it in straight games. We led 12-7 but slowed down. They caught up and nerves got the better of us and we were stuck at 12.”
All appeared lost for Malaysia when the Hong Kong pair raced to an 8-2 lead in the rubber game. But Eei Hui-Pei Tty staged a remarkable comeback to claw back into the game and went on to win the match.
Hong Kong chose to split their world number 22nd pair of Wai Chee-Ming Mui but their chief coach Chan Chi Choi did not attribute it to their defeat.
“We anticipated a tough tie against Malaysia and we had to depend on our top four players. It will now be tough for us to qualify for the Finals,” he said.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia took a big step forward towards winning a place in the Uber Cup Finals on merit for the first time with an sensational 3-2 upset win over fancied Hong Kong yesterday.
The odds were stacked against the Malaysian women in their opening Group A tie of the Asian Zone qualifying tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium in Cheras. They were up against a side led by world number four Wang Chen.
But the Malaysians gave a Herculean effort to beat the third seeded Hong Kong in a battle which lasted for almost five hours.
The points that won the tie came from the second and third singles, played by Woon Sze Mei and youngster Norsyahliza Baharum respectively, and the first doubles pair of Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty.
Malaysia will play against Japan today followed by ties against Macau and India. Their victory over Hong Kong has certainly boosted their chances of qualifying for the Finals, which will be played in Jakarta in May.
Malaysia have featured in the Uber Cup Finals four times – in 1984, 1988, 1992 and 2000. And they were in the fray on all occasions by virtue of being the hosts.
“The team have won half of the battle with the victory over Hong Kong,” said doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit.
“All of them were ranked lower than the Hong Kong players but they played their hearts out. I am very pleased with their performances. I hope they will give another fighting display against Japan tomorrow.”
Surprisingly, it was 27-year-old Sze Mei who put Malaysia back on track for victory.
Malaysia were 0-1 down after Mew Choo was beaten 11-8, 3-11, 1-11 by China-born Wang Chen in the first singles. But Mew Choo's efforts to take a game off Wang Chen for the first time in three meeting certainly inspired her teammates.
Sze Mei, who had suffered defeats by youngsters in the National Grand Prix Finals last month, was up next. And the player ranked at number 193 in the world rose to the occasion to beat the 35th ranked Ling Wan Ting 11-6, 11-7 in 38 minutes.
“I have never played against her before. She panicked when I kept sending the shuttle back to her, engaging her in long rallies. She made quite a number of mistakes. I am glad I was able to rise to the occasion today,” said Sze Mei.
The 17-year-old Norsyahliza showed no indication of her inexperience in a major international tournament. With the support of more than 50 of her schoolmates at the Bukit Jalil Sports School behind her, Norsyahliza gave a crafty show to score a convincing 11-9, 11-6 win over Louisa Koon Wai Chee.
The pressure was now on Hong Kong to save the tie. And the Malaysian scratch pair of Fong Chew Yen-Ooi Sock Ai certainly did not make it easy for them, especially in the first game against Wang Chen-Li Ming Mui, who won the match 14-17, 2-15.
Hopes were now on Manchester Commonwealth Games bronze medallists Eei Hui-Pei Tty to win the tie for Malaysia.
There were a few heart stopping moments but the duo delivered the winning point in an 80-minute thriller against Hong Kong's Wan Ting-Louisa, who were beaten 7-15, 15-12, 10-15.
Said a tired but delighted Pei Tty: “We should have won it in straight games. We led 12-7 but slowed down. They caught up and nerves got the better of us and we were stuck at 12.”
All appeared lost for Malaysia when the Hong Kong pair raced to an 8-2 lead in the rubber game. But Eei Hui-Pei Tty staged a remarkable comeback to claw back into the game and went on to win the match.
Hong Kong chose to split their world number 22nd pair of Wai Chee-Ming Mui but their chief coach Chan Chi Choi did not attribute it to their defeat.
“We anticipated a tough tie against Malaysia and we had to depend on our top four players. It will now be tough for us to qualify for the Finals,” he said.