Asian Games medal near impossible for men's and women's badminton teams

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia face a difficult route to the medal rounds in both the men's and women's team badminton competitions at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The women's team, led by world No. 5 pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, will open their campaign against Hong Kong at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Sunday.

Victory would send Malaysia into the quarter-finals against third seeds South Korea, who received a first-round bye.

Should Malaysia upset the Koreans, they could face second seeds and hosts Japan in the semi-finals for a place in the gold-medal tie.

The men's competition begins on Monday, with Aaron Chia-led Malaysia expected to ease past Mongolia in the opening round.

Victory would set up a stern quarter-final clash against top seeds Indonesia, who were handed a bye into the last eight.

If Malaysia overcome Indonesia, either Taiwan or Thailand could await them in the semi-finals.

At the 2022 Hangzhou edition, Malaysia were eliminated by South Korea in the first round of the men's competition, while the women's team did not compete.

Team manager Datuk Ng Chin Chai said Malaysia would need to overcome strong opposition regardless of their route through the draw.

"There is no easy route to winning a medal as all the top four seeds in both the men's and women's team events are strong," said Chin Chai.

"Malaysia have brought their best available players and prepared well.

'Now is the time for our team to produce their best form and overcome any teams in our path to the podium."

The draw means both Malaysian teams will have to eliminate some of Asia's strongest badminton nations to challenge for gold.

Malaysia's last team medal came at the 2014 Incheon edition, when a Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei-led team won bronze.

The men's team have won silver medals at the 1990 Beijing and 1996 Bangkok Games, their best performances in the competition.

The Malaysian women have stood on the podium only once, winning silver at the 1962 Jakarta edition after losing to Indonesia in the final.