China wrested back the Asian Junior Championships mixed team title when they edged hosts Malaysia 3-2 at the Juara Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Stunned 3-1 in the final last year, China looked headed for another sensational upset when they trailed 2-1 to the hosts. However, girl power propelled the Chinese team to victory with Suo Di and Tang Jinhua-Xia Huan bringing home the points in the girl’s singles and girl’s doubles respectively.
Malaysia team manager How Kim Tho acknowledged that the hosts were left with an uphill task of defending the title after the loss of mixed doubles pair Ow Yao Han-Lai Pei Jing to Liu Cheng-Bao Yixin 21-16, 21-17 in the first match of the tie.

“That was the turning point. There was a 50-50 chance of us winning the match but in the end, it was not to be,” said How.

“Once we lost the mixed doubles, it was always going to be difficult. Although we also had some hope on scoring an upset in the girl’s singles, it was simply not our day.”

Sonia Cheah put up a terrific fight against Suo Di before conceding defeat 22-20, 21-15 to allow China to draw level at 2-2.

After the mixed doubles loss, Zulkifli Zulfadli put Malaysia back in contention with a straight games win over Huang Yuxiang in the boy’s singles, taking the match 21-17, 21-12 in 45 minutes.

The home fans were given further reason to cheer when Ow Yan Hong-Yew Hong Kheng teamed up to beat Li Gen-Song Ziwei 21-8, 21-11 in a one-sided match to put Malaysia in front.

However, Suo Di and Tang-Xia ensured the title returned to China with confident displays. Tang-Xia beat Lai Pei Jin-Lai Shevon Jemie 21-7, 21-9.

Thailand and Indonesia shared joint third place.

The individual event also started on Wednesday with the finals scheduled to be played on Sunday.