SHAH ALAM, Feb 14 — The national men’s team sinked minnows Kazakhstan 5-0 to confirm their place in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC), here today.

After outclassing Brunei by the same score in their opening fixture yesterday, Malaysia as the defending champions, continued its rampage in Group B to secure another flawless win without losing a game at the Setia City Convention Centre here.

Professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia, who was rested yesterday, grabbed the first point for the host beating Dmitriy Panarin 21-11, 21-10, while Leong Jun Hao doubled the lead after outclassing Ibray Bayken 21-8, 21-11.

Youngster Eogene Ewe, 19, then confirmed the winning point for Malaysia after trouncing Makhsut Tajibullayev 21-7, 21-9.

Later in the doubles, Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri beat Ratmir Gilmanov-Ibray Bayken 21-10, 21-9, while Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani defeated Khaitmurat Kulmatov-Makhsut Tajibullayev 21-6, 21-2 to complete the victory.

Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong and top men’s doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were rested today.

After playing what looked like a warm-up matches against Brunei and Kazakhstan, Malaysia’s real challenge awaits tomorrow against Taiwan in the last group match to decide the group topper.

In another Group B fixture, Taiwan disposed Brunei 5-0, after having defeated Kazakhstan by the same score yesterday.

The draw for the knock-out stage would be held tomorrow night, after the completion of all group stage matches.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) set a minimum target of reaching the semi-finals for both the men’s and women’s teams in the BATC this time, to secure an automatic spot in the prestigious Thomas Cup and Uber Cup Finals in April. — Bernama