PETALING JAYA: Promising youngsters Soong Joo Ven and Soo Teck Zhi are having grand dreams of making their mark on the international badminton stage next month.

The Selangor duo are overwhelming favourites to reach the boys’ Under-18 final in the 100Plus National Junior Circuit GP Finals.

Both were selected to represent Malaysia in the Asian Junior Championship and the Asean Schools Championship.

But it is Joo Ven who will head to the Asian Juniors while Teck Zhi will compete in the Asean Schools meet because both tournaments run simultaneously from June 30-July 7.

The 17-year-old Joo Ven is confident of emulating Zulfadli Zulkifli’s feat of first winning the national junior championship before clinching the Asian title.

“I believe I stand a good chance of following in Zulfadli’s footsteps,” said Joo Ven.

“Last year, I competed in the Asian Juniors and it was an eye opener. That experience will serve me well in this year’s tournament.”

Joo Ven booked his place in the quarter-finals of the National Junior GP Finals by beating Johor’s Mohd Ziyad Tahad 21-18, 21-16 in a Group A match. He will face fellow BJSS trainee Lim Chi Wing next.

Teck Zhi, who outclassed Lim Zheng Ting 21-16, 21-12 to top Group B, rues his omission from the Asian Juniors squad but remains optimistic about the future.

“I would have preferred to compete in the Asian Juniors since its a bigger tournament. It’s unfortunate that both events are being held at the same time,” said Teck Zhi.

“Fortunately, I’m still eligible for the Asian Juniors next year and my goal now is to win the Asean Schools crown.

“It would be a perfect way to end my junior career if I can win both the Asean and Asian crowns,” said the lanky 17-year-old.

Teck Zhi will also face a fellow BJSS trainee, Mohd Adib Haiqal, for a place in the semi-finals.

In other matches, Perak’s Chan Ren Cong became the only non-BJSS shuttler to make the last eight by beating Dede Ryan Phillip 19-21, 21-14,21-12. He will face Chong Yee Han in the last eight.

Results

BJSS unless stated

Under-18

Singles

Boys

Group A: Soong Joo Ven bt Mohd Ziyad Md Tahad (Joh) 21-18, 21-16.

Group B: Soo Teck Zhi bt Lim Zhen Ting (Sel) 21-16, 21-12.

Group C: Tan Kian Meng bt Chow Foo Wah (FT) 21-13, 21-12.

Group D: Chong Yee Han bt Teoh Khai Siang (Pen) 21-16, 21-19.

Group E: Lim Chi Wing bt Anthony Samin Jr (Sab) 21-12, 21-12.

Group F: Vincent Phuah bt Ai Wei Jian (Sel) 12-21, 21-7, 21-19.

Group G: Chan Ren Cong (Prk) bt Dede Ryan Philip 19-21, 21-14, 21-12.

Group H: MuhdAdib Haiqal Nurizwan bt Jong Wee Fook (Swk) 21-17, 21-11.

Girls

Group A: Lin Yin Fun bt Adlina Abd Wahab (Sel) 21-5, 21-9.

Group B: Lim Chiew Sien bt Tan Sueh Cheng (FT) 21-13, 21-15.

Group C: Nur Aiffa Tajeri (Ked) bt Lim Zhi Yun (Joh) 21-9, 14-21, 21-19.

Group D: Boon WeiYing (Mal) bt Rasnith Kaur Grewal (Pen) 21-7, 21-8.

Group E: Cheong Sing Yueh (Sab) bt Kaw Meng Wei (Joh) 21-19, 21-17.

Group F: Ang Ferng Ying (Pen) bt Vinnie Liong (Swk) 20-22, 21-5, 21-11.

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