MALAYSIA received a timely boost in the Axiata Cup yesterday following a 4-0 win over All-Star Europe at the Britama Arena in Jakarta.
The national team desperately needed a win following two consecutive defeats to Thailand (3-1) and Indonesia (4-0) over the weekend.
Liew Daren delivered Malaysia’s first point after defeating French shuttler Brice Leverdez 21-13, 14-21, 21-18 in the first match.
Women’s singles Tee Jing Yi was also stretched to a deciding game by Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour but still managed to walk out with a 21-11, 14-21, 21-18 win.
“I told myself to have more confidence and played with no pressure today (yesterday),” Jing Yi said.
“Kirsty even took the lead in the last game, but I did not give up and played hard for each point. I have never taken any match lightly.”
Men’s doubles Tan Boon Heong-Tan Wee Kiong then sealed the deal for Malaysia by coming from a game down to defeat Russia’s Vladimir Ivanov-Ivan Sozonov 21-23, 21-8, 21-12.
Mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon-Lai Pei Jing perfected the scoreline with a 21-16, 23-21 win over Scotland's Robert Blair-Imogen Bankier.
Today - 1pm: Malaysia vs Philippines, Thailand vs Vietnam; 7pm: All-Star Europe vs Indonesia, Thailand vs All-Star Asia. By Fabian Peter