First blood: Leong Jun Hao celebrating after beating Indonesia’s Chico Aura to deliver the first point for Malaysia in the team final which they lost 3-1. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
SHUTTLER Leong Jun Hao has sparked a hope to win the individual gold in the SEA Games based on his fine form in the team event.
Yesterday, the world No. 64 Jun Hao was the pick of the bunch in the team final after he stunned world No. 19 Chico Aura 21-16, 21-13 to give Malaysia a dream start at the Morodok Techo badminton hall in Phnom Penh before they went down 1-3 to Indonesia.
It was Jun Hao’s second big upset of the tournament after pulling the rug from under Thailand’s world No. 34 Sitthikom Thammasin in the semi-final tie.
“For me, personally, it was very satisfying to beat Chico. I went all out and managed to control the game well,” said Jun Hao.
“I also took full advantage of the fast shuttle to attack well.
“I feel more confident after this win and hope to continue this momentum in the individual event (starting today).
“For now, I’m not looking beyond a podium finish. My main challenger could be Chico again and I need to prepare well.”
The 23-year-old’s good start against Chico yesterday ended in vain as all others lost their matches.
Jun Hao’s hunger and fighting spirit, however, seemed to fire up Beh Chun Meng-Goh Boon Zhe and Chia Weijie-Liew Xun as they gave a good account of themselves before losing to their higher-ranked opponents.
World No. 76 Chun Meng-Boon Zhe lost 12-21, 20-22 to world No. 14 and last year’s All-England champions Mohd Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana.
Hope was on Lee Shun Yang to keep their dream alive but he suffered a 17-21, 9-21 defeat at the hands of world No. 59 Christian Adinata.
World No. 106 Weijie-Liew Xun were tasked to save the tie with Malaysia 1-2 behind and they did give world No. 33 Pramudya Kusumawardana-Yeremia Rambitan a huge scare before going down 21-13, 16-21, 16-21.
Overall, Jun Hao, who is the most senior member of the team, was pleased with the fighting spirit shown by his team.
“Both the doubles pairs were playing in a big team event for the first time and they showed bravery and determination against the Indonesian pairs, who are more experienced,” said Jun Hao.
“We may have lost but we gave everything on court,” said Jun Hao, who has received a first-round bye and will play Singapore’s world No. 126 Joel Koh in the second round.
