Pattaya, Thailand, Jan 21, 2019: Favourites Pakistan and Malaysia triumphed in the men’s and women’s finals, respectively, of the 19th Asian Junior Team Squash Championships at the Squash Centre in the Ambassador City Jomtien in Pattaya, Thailand.
After overcoming Hong Kong China in the semi-finals of the biennial event, Pakistan faced unexpected opponents India in the final after the defending champions – who were the fourth seeds – upset second-seeded Malaysia 2/1 in the other semi.
But in an emphatic endorsement of the seedings, Pakistan (pictured above with ASF President Mui) despatched India 2/0 to claim their men’s title for first time since 2013 – but for the 14th time overall.
Hong Kong China and Malaysia shared the bronze medal.
In a repeat of both the 2015 and 2017 women’s finals, defending champions Malaysia faced Hong Kong China.
Boasting two players within the world top 100, favourites Malaysia brushed aside their opponents 2/0 to retain the title for the third time in a row.
India and Republic of Korea claimed the co-third.
“It is the first time for Thailand Squash Rackets Association to host an Asian Championship,” said David Mui, MH JP, President of the Asian Squash Federation (pictured above with women’s champions Malaysia).
“I would like to thank and congratulate them for hosting such a successful yet memorable event.
Their warm hospitality and dedication has made the event run smoothly. I would also like to thank the officials, referees and helpers.”
The 2019 championships attracted 12 junior men’s teams and 9 junior women’s teams.
Results: Men’s semi-finals:
[1] PAKISTAN bt [3] HONG KONG CHINA 2/0
Abbas Zeb bt Chung Yat Long 11-5, 11-1, 11-3 (25m)
Muhammad Farhan Hashmi bt To Wai Lok 6-11, 11-6, 13-11, 5-11, 11-9 (81m)
[4] INDIA bt [2] MALAYSIA 2/1
Utkarsh Baheti lost to Siow Yee Xian 1-11, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11 (39m)
Yash Fadte bt Duncan Lee 11-7, 12-10, 12-10 (43m)
Veer Chotrani bt Muhammad Amir Amirul Azhar 9-11, 14-12, 11-9, 20-18 (71m)
Final Asian Junior Team Squash : [1] PAKISTAN bt [4] INDIA 2/0
Muhammad Farhan Hashmi bt Veer Chotrani 2-11, 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9 (55m)
Abbas Zeb bt Utkarsh Baheti 11-4, 11-2, 11-6
Remaining positions: 3 Hong Kong China & Malaysia; 5 Kuwait; 6 Sri Lanka; 7 Republic of Korea; 8 Japan; 9 Singapore; 10 Chinese Taipei; 11 China; 12 Thailand
Women’s semi-finals Asian Junior Team Squash : [1] MALAYSIA bt [3] INDIA 2/0
Aifa Azman bt Sanya Vats 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 (17m)
Chan Yiwen bt Yoshna Singh 11-6, 11-1, 11-6 (23m)
[2] HONG KONG CHINA bt [5] REPUBLIC OF KOREA 2/0
Chan Sin Yuk bt Chae Won Song 11-5, 11-1, 11-1 (15m)
Cheng Nga Ching bt Park Ju Ah 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7 (33m)
Final: [1] MALAYSIA bt [2] HONG KONG CHINA 2/0
Aifa Azman bt Chan Sin Yuk 11-5, 6-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8 (39m)
Ooi Kah Yan bt Lee Sum Yuet 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 4-11, 13-11 (44m)
Remaining positions: 3 India & Republic of Korea; 5 Sri Lanka; 6 Singapore; 7 Japan; 8 Macau; 9 Chinese Taipei. —- WSF
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