SEA Games: Shuttlers Eye Revenge, End Two-Decade Men’s Team Gold Drought Tomorrow

From Amiril Muttaqien Meketar

BANGKOK, Dec 9 (Bernama) – Malaysia’s mission to clinch one of the four gold medals targeted for the national badminton squad at the Thailand SEA Games 2025 remains wide open as the men’s team march into tomorrow’s final against traditional rivals Indonesia.

Apart from seeking revenge for their 1-3 loss to Indonesia in the previous edition’s final in Cambodia, Malaysia also have a strong chance of ending their 20-year wait for the men’s team gold, last won in the 2005 edition in the Philippines, based on the line-up of star players fielded this time.

Malaysia’s strength is anchored by 2022 men’s doubles world champions and world No. 2 pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, along with world No. 5 duo Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who are expected to deliver two crucial points against Indonesia.

Despite Malaysia’s edge in the men’s doubles department, threats still loom as they must remain wary of Indonesia’s main pair, world No. 8 Sabar Karyaman Gutama and his partner, who hold favourable head-to-head records against Aaron-Wooi Yik (2-1) and Wei Chong-Kai Wun (3-1) to date.

Both Malaysian pairs also produced less convincing performances in their semi-final against Thailand, though Malaysia still advanced to the final with a 3-1 victory yesterday.

Aaron-Wooi Yik defeated Supak Jomkoh-Peeratchai Sukphun 21-18, 21-19, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun were stretched to a decider before overcoming Dechapol Puavarnukroh-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-14, 18-21, 21-17.

National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi admitted that Aaron-Wooi Yik have yet to reach their true level, given that this was their first match in a month after taking a break from tournaments.

He also urged Wei Chong-Kai Wun to remain calmer in tomorrow’s final and avoid rushing for points, which had earlier allowed Dechapol-Pakkapon to force a decider.

Aware of the daunting task of facing his home country tomorrow, Herry said Indonesia’s strength appears evenly matched across both singles and doubles.

“However, in any competition anything can happen, because the favourite (Indonesia) also carry a little pressure,” he said.

Malaysia’s men’s singles camp face an uphill battle to contribute points, especially with top hope Leong Jun Hao struggling this season, including his 15-21, 15-21 defeat to 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand yesterday.

Should both teams retain their line-ups tomorrow, Jun Hao is expected to open the final against Indonesia’s top men’s singles shuttler Alwi Farhan, who holds the advantage after beating the Malaysian 21-19, 26-24 in their first encounter at the 2025 Korea Open last September.

Malaysia will also bank on the positive momentum of Justin Hoh, who has been reliable each time he was fielded in this SEA Games campaign, while the form of professional shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin – expected to be the third singles representative – remains a ‘mystery’ as he has yet to feature in this edition.

National men’s singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen hopes his players will display strong determination and fight with full commitment to achieve success tomorrow.

“It will be a true test on many levels for the singles shuttlers and our team in general,” he told Bernama.

The Thailand SEA Games 2025 officially kick off today at the Rajamangala National Stadium and will run until Dec 20 across two regions, Bangkok and Chonburi.

-- BERNAMA