Asian Games: How Malaysia can secure a win vs Indonesia in men's team clash

Malaysia will face top seeds Indonesia at the Asian Games men’s team quarter-finals clash on Tuesday (Sept 22), as the national team aims to secure a team medal for the first time since 2014.

Stadium Astro breaks down how Malaysia could secure the three points required for an outright victory.

Leong Jun Hao vs Jonatan Christie

On paper, this match should be Christie’s to win as the new world number one.

But, it is not as straightforward as it looks on paper.

The Indonesian has not done well recently and is coming off two early exits at the World Championships and China Masters.

While Leong has not fared much better himself, he has beaten Christie three times, with the last win coming at last year’s Singapore Open.

Leong prides himself as a team player, and this is his opportunity to gift Malaysia a priceless first point.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin vs Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri

Malaysia’s best chance of securing a point will come from Goh-Izzzudin, who are the most consistent pair in the team.

It won’t be an easy hurdle against the in-form Alfian-Fikri, who are current world number two and recently secured back-to-back Japan Open and China Open titles.

This Malaysian pair are a picture of calm each time they play, and the hope is that they can showcase enough composure to unsettle their opponents and come away with the win.

Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun vs Leo Carnando-Daniel Marthin

Chia-Tee will be making their debut as a pair in a short-lived partnership, as both shuttlers are poised to return to their usual partners who are Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong respectively after this Asian Games.

But the scratch pairing could pose a different threat to this Indonesian pair who recently won the Taipei Open.

Individually, both Chia and Tee have done well.

Chia secured a silver medal at the Taipei Open and World Championships after reaching the final with two different partners, while Tee won the Korea Masters last month with Yap Roy King.

If they combine their strengths to great effect, a point for the country is definitely there for the taking.