The Malaysian men’s badminton team stormed into the SEA Games final with a convincing 3-1 victory over the host nation in Bangkok today.
With this win, they matched their performance at the last SEA Games in Cambodia two years ago, where they lost to Indonesia and settled for silver.
The victory sets up a highly anticipated clash with Indonesia in the final on Wednesday.
Former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn gave Thailand a flying start by sweeping aside Leong Jun Hao 21-15, 21-15 in the first singles match, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
World No 2 doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik levelled the score at 1-1 after defeating Supak Jomkoh-Peeratchai Sukphun 21-18, 21-19.
Second singles player Justin Hoh gave Malaysia a 2-1 lead when he made short work of Thailand’s No 2 shuttler Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul,…