BIRMINGHAM: Hosts England stand in Malaysia’s path to a fifth straight badminton mixed team final appearance after the two teams set up a semi-final date at the 2022 Commonwealth Games here tomorrow.
Malaysia have made the final since Melbourne 2006 and had no problems chalking up a 3-0 win over Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals today.
Independent mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing brushed aside Sachin Dias-Thilini Hendahewa 21-14, 21-14 to clinch the first point for Malaysia.
National men’s singles player Ng Tze Yong then secured the second point for the three-time champions when he disposed of Niluka Karunate 21-5, 21-14.
Professional women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei then delivered the winning point by trouncing Vihara Suhasni Vidanage 21-9, 21-5.
England had earlier booked a spot in the semi-finals after eliminating Canada also by 3-0.