Malaysia go down fighting to powerful China in Suhandinata Cup final

KUALA LUMPUR: China secured their 16th Suhandinata Cup title with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Malaysia in the World Junior Team Championship final on Saturday. The Malaysian team, having won their sole title in 2011, fell short in a closely contested match at the Cairo International Stadium. In the opening game, Malaysia's lone title provider, Saidatul Muhammad, was defeated 11-5 by China's Yin Yi Qing in the girls' singles.

Tiew Wei Jie was also unable to contain Luo Jing Yu in the boys' singles, allowing China to build a 22-13 lead. Despite Low Zi Yu-Genevie Lim's efforts to narrow the gap in the girls' pair, Shi Si Chen-Wei Yue Yue extended China's advantage to 33-18. Malaysia managed to cut the deficit to 44-30 with Ahmad Redzuan Zulwaqqarizal-Zi Yu's contribution, but China's Tu Yi Chen-Zheng Wei Gang sealed the first game with a 55-46 win.

In the second game, Saidatul fell to Zhang Yi Xin 11-6, yet Wei Jie managed to keep Malaysia in the race before Hong Tian Yue extended China's lead to 22-18. Zi Yu-Genevie's strong performance in the girls' pair helped Malaysia to a 33-30 lead against Si Chen-Yue Yue. In the boys' pair, Irfan-Genevie fought back to a 44-36 lead against Feng Yi Lang-Li Meng Han.

However, China's Irfan and Ahmad Redzuan prevailed in the boys' doubles 55-53, which sent the match into a decisive game. In the decider, China started strong, with Yi Qing outduelling Saidatul 11-3, and Jing Yu extended the lead to 22-9 against Wei Jie. Zi Yu-Genevie closed the gap to 33-26 against Si Chen-Yue Yue, but China sealed the match with a 55-45 win in the boys' doubles over Damien-Irfan. Malaysia will look to build on their momentum in the individual events, which begin on Sunday.