Likely clash: Fareez Anuar and Cheah Liek Hou will have to beat their respective Indonesian opponents in the semi-finals to assure medals. — Reuters
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Fareez Anuar has kept a clean slate to spark a possible 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the men’s singles SU5 (upper body impairment) at the Paralympics.
On Saturday, Fareez fought brilliantly to come from behind to beat Japan’s Taiyo Imai 17-21, 21-17, 21-17 in the third Group B match at Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle.
The win saw him reaching the semi-finals as the group champion.
The 28-year-old had already assured his spot in the last four after impressive wins over Taiwan’s Fang Jen-yu and Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi in his earlier group matches.
He needed another win to finish top of the group and avoid teammate and defending champion Cheah Liek Hou in the last four.
And Fareez, who is making his debut in the Paralympics, did not disappoint to claim the crucial win and set-up a semi-final clash against Indonesia’s Suryo Nugroho.
Defending champion Liek Hou secured a commanding 21-10, 21-13 win over Suryo in Group A to also top his group and will take on archrival Dheva in the other last four tie in what will be a repeat of the 2021 Tokyo Games final.
It will a grand result if Fareez and Liek Hou can make it an all-Malaysian final.
Nova Armada, who coaches both Fareez and Liek Hou, was pleased to see his charges win their respective matches to avoid each other in the semi-finals.
“We expected Liek Hou to beat Suryo and it was also good that Fareez managed to win and finish top of his group,” said Nova.
“It was our hope from the start to see them avoid each other in the semi-finals. I’m pleased with both their performance so far especially Fareez.
“He was placed in a tough group and managed to win all his matches. I believe he is in his best form now.
“Hopefully, he can continue playing well.”
The losers in the semi-finals will play each other for the bronze in the third-place playoff match.
RESULTS
Malaysians only
Men’s singles SU5
Group A: Cheah Liek Hou bt Suryo Nugroho (Ina) 21-10, 21-13.
Group B: Fareez Anuar bt Taiyo Imai (Jpn) 17-21, 21-17, 21-17.
