Silver Cheer For Malaysian Contingent

From Zuriati Zulmi INCHEON (South Korea), Sept 22 (Bernama) -- The sparkle of silver from cycling brightened the national contingent a bit on the second day of competition in the 17th Asia Games here Sunday. Fatehah Mustapa (most left in the picture) who won it in the women's keirin event at the Incheon International Velodrome described it as unexpected. Her triumph took Malaysia's medal tally to two, the other a gold medal contributed by wushu exponent Tai Cheau Xuen in the combined Nanquan and Nandao event on Saturday. However, wushu failed to bloom on Sunday when Phoon Eyin only managed fifth spot in the Jianshu and Qiangshu event after collecting 19.14 points. The men's badminton squad headed by Lee Chong Wei also did not disappoint as they advanced to the semi-finals after an easy win over Nepal in the team event. Nevertheless, on Monday, Malaysia will face the might of the Great Wall of China in badminton. Lin Dan and Chen Long will be their biggest hurdles at the Gyeyang Gymnasium. National squash queen, Nicol David was clearly in a class of her own winning easily over Japanese Misaki Kobayashi 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 in the quarter-finals at the Yeorumul Squash Courts. Compatriot Low Wee Wern also advanced to the semi-finals after subduing Hong Chan Ho Ling of Hong Kong in 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5. Nicol will be facing Dipika Rebecca Pallikal of India while Low has to contend with Annie Au Wing Chi of Hong Kong. In the men's category, Ong Beng Hee who also advanced to the semi-finals will meet Saurav Ghosal of India. However, Mohd Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan was stopped in the quarter-finals by Abdullah Kh Kh H M Almezayen of Kuwait. Meanwhile, the national Under-23 football squad lost 0-3 to Saudi Arabia in the final match of Group A at Goyang Stadium. The hunt for medals continues Monday when track cyclists Azizulhasni Awang and Muhammad Edrus Mohd Yunus compete in the men's sprint event, followed by three renowned shooters, Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi, Nur Ayuni Farhana Abdul Halim and Alia Shazana Azahari in the 10m Air Rifle and 25m pistol. Also seeking to add to the medal tally are Farah Ann Abdul Hadi (artistic gymnastics) and two wushu athletes, Ho Mun Hwa (men's Nanquan and Nangun) and Ng Shin Yii (men's Taijijan and Taijiquan). Also trying their luck will be the swimming quartet of Kevin Yeap, Welson Sim Wee Sheng, Vernon Lee and Alwyn Tan in the 4X200m freestyle. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA