BANGKOK: Malaysia’s hopes in badminton stayed bright at Thammasat University as two of the national team’s headline doubles pairs – Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik – produced commanding displays today.
Pearly-Thinaah and Aaron-Wooi Yik delivered confident, composed performances to punch their tickets into the next round, keeping Malaysia firmly in the hunt for medals here.
In the women’s doubles, Pearly-Thinaah barely broke a sweat as they dismantled Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-11, 21-14.
The Malaysian duo dictated the rallies with crisp interceptions, sharp rotations, and trademark court coverage – a reminder of why the golden pair remains one of the region’s most feared partnerships.
The straight-games win further underlined their stature as strong favourites for the SEA Games gold, with both shuttlers looking increasingly polished and in sync as the tournament progresses.
Over in the men’s doubles, Olympic bronze medallists, Aaron-Wooi Yik, stamped their class with a solid 21-16, 21-16 victory over Thailand’s Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren.
Aaron’s tight control at the net combined with Wooi Yik’s powerful mid-court attacks proved too much for the Thai pair, a clean, business-like performance that keeps Malaysia’s top men’s pair firmly in the medal conversation.
Malaysia’s second men’s doubles duo, Man Wei Chong-Kai Wun Tee, added to the momentum by edging Thailand’s Peeratchai Sukhpun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul 21-16, 21-19, showing grit in the closing points to secure the win.
However, the second women’s doubles outing brought disappointment as Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari overpowered Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing 21-15.
In the women’s singles, Sarawak’s rising star, Wong Ling Ching, kept her sparkling form alive with a composed 21-11, 21-17 triumph against Indonesia’s Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi – her precision placement and pace variation giving her opponent little room to breathe.
Teammate Karupathevan Letshanaa, however, fell 18-21, 13-21 to Indonesia’s Puteri Kusuma Wardani despite a spirited first-game display.
In mixed doubles, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin were unable to break through the class of top Thai duo, Dechapool Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran, going down 12-21, 15-21.
Malaysia enjoyed a strong finish in the men’s singles department, with Justin Hoh displaying maturity beyond his years in a 21-15, 21-17 upset over Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen.
Leong Jun Hao then wrapped up the day on a high by overpowering Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 21-18, 21-16, showcasing his attacking flair and court aggression in key moments.
With multiple strong performances across all categories, Malaysia remain well-positioned in their push for a medal haul here.
