Singapore: Malaysia’s singles shuttlers Chong Wei Feng, Mohamad Arif Abdul Latif advanced to the quarter-finals in the men’s singles category on Saturday after their wins.
Chong Wei Feng crushed Pham Cao Cuong of Vietnam 21-14, 21-11 to set up a clash with Jonatan Christie of Indonesia on Sunday. Arif also eliminated Fongmalayseng P. of Laos to advance to quarter-finals of the men’s singles event.
Meanwhile, Singapore’s 17-year-old shuttler, Loh Kean Yew, has pulled off one of the great upset of the day when he beat veteran Vietnamese player 32-year-old Nguyen Tien Minh, 21-16, 15-21, 21-17 in a 57-minute match. The young player said he felt “super, super happy” after the intense game ended and considered the match his second “breakthrough” and “biggest win” in his badminton career.
Singapore’s Derek Wong also outplayed Cambodia’s 18-year-old Cheng Phor Rom 21-10, 21-7 on Saturday and will face Tanongsak SaenSomboonsuk of Thailand in quarter-finals on Sunday.
“Tanongsak is the No. 1 seed at the SEA Games men’s singles event. Defeating him would be one step forward toward winning the gold medal,” said Derek Wong.
However, Malaysia’s men’s doubles campaigns at SEA Games came to an abrupt end on Saturday when Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong were handed their stunning first round exit by Indonesian duo Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, losing 21-12, 10-21, 17-21. Another Malaysia men’s pair Mak Hee Chun/Teo Kok Siang also suffered a one-sided 17-21, 17-21 defeat against Angga Pratama/Ricky Karandasuwardi of Indonesia.
