MALAYSIAN bowlers who have failed to impress in the World Youth Championships must set the Boardwalk Bowl's lanes ablaze in the team event to ensure they qualify for the Masters round in Orlando, the United States.

On Monday, the Malaysians turned in another dismal display in the boys' doubles. The pair of Aaron Kong and Adrian Ang started modestly with a three-game combined total of 1,360 to finish at sixth position.

The duo needed to maintain their form to make the semi-final cut but, instead, could only register 1,291 for a combined six-game total of 2,537 to finish 18th on long oil.

Rookie duo Muhd Nur Aiman-Syafid Ridhwan fared even worse by posting 2,377 to be 48th.

Sweden's Kim Bolleby-James Gruffman topped England's Dominic Barrett-Matt Hann 417-399 to win the gold medal.
Singapore's Gregory Gan-Mark Wong and Iceland's Robert Dan Sigurdsson-Hafthor Hardarson, the losing semi-finalists, took the bronze medals.

Malaysia, the defending champions, have so far got only a bronze through Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani in the girls' singles.

The boys' and girls' team first block on short oil were completed late yesterday.

Currently, none of the Malaysian bowlers, after the completion of the singles and doubles, are in medal positions in the all-events. Only the top 16 in the all-events will qualify for the Masters round.

National coach Holloway Cheah said the performance of the national bowlers has been discouraging so far but expects them to flourish in the team event.

"They must make amends. I know that some of them are still suffering from jet-lag but they have been there for days now. I expect them to improve," said Holloway, who did not travel with the team. National assistant coach Foong Tat Meng is handling the squad.

In the girls' all-events, Esther Cheah, a former world singles champion, and Zatil Iman, are on 2,464 and 2,457 at 18th and 19th respectively and have a fighting chance to make the Masters cut.

However, Zandra Aziela, who is lying 45th on 2,347 and defending Masters champion Sharon Koh (63rd -- 2,278) are out of range.

In the boys' all-events, Aaron Kong, who is 25th on 2,487, is the sole Malaysia bowler with any chance to make the Masters.

Teammates Adrian Ang is 35th on 2,461 followed by Syafiq Ridhwan (65th -- 2,398) and Muhd Nur Aiman (90th -- 2,350).