Palembang: M'sians march into all badminton finals tomorrow

The Malaysian badminton squad are pinning their hopes on four finalists for a last scoop of gold medals at the 17th Asean University Games in Palembang which will come to a close Sunday.

Men's singles top seed, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin will lead the country's challenge in the final after defeating Prinyawat Thongnuam of Thailand 9-21, 21-12 and 21-10 in the semifinals at the GOR Dempo badminton court in Jakabaring Saturday.

He will meet Ashton Chen of Indonesia in the final.

Iskandar said he was optimistic of a gold medal but needed a strategy for the final.

"I may have beaten Ashton in the team event semi-final but he could have read my game better by now," Iskandar told reporters.

Also in the final is the men's doubles pair of Jagdish Singh-Vountous Indra Saniru who will meet Maulana-Kevin of Indonesia.

Malaysia are assured of a gold medal in the mixed doubles when Mohd Lutfi Zaim Ab Khalid-Chow Mei Kuan meet another local pair of Mohammad Arif-Lee Meng Kean in the final.

In the women's doubles final, national pair Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yan will meet Thailand's Chanisa Teachavorsinskun-Pancharapun Chochuwong.

The national badminton squad had delivered a gold medal in the men's team event.