Md Sheril advances into semi-finals

6th May 2010
The Brunei Times

MD SHERIL SHAHIZWAN beat Ihsan Zainuddin 21-16, 21-16 to advance into the semi-finals of the Open Singles Under-23 in the Yang Amat Mulia Pg Indera Mahkota Pg (Dr) Kamaluddin Al-Haj Badminton Championship Cup at the Multipurpose Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex last night.

One of five shortlisted to compete at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Melaka on June 10-19, Md Sheril was satisfied to have reached his target.

"I'm happy to have at least reached the semi-finals. I'm taking one step at a time so hopefully I'll be able to reach the final," said the 17-year-old.

Part of the Department of Youth and Sports badminton scheme, Md Sheril was relieved with the win, "At first I was a bit nervous. Yet as the match progressed, my confidence started to grow and I just went for it. However it was a 50-50 match from the start."

When asked whether he is one of 75 athletes that are going to compete in Melaka for the 13th edition of the Games, he replied, "Actually it depends, but I don't know whether I'm going. I don't know when I'll know either."

However, Md Sheril does know one thing, and that is who presents the biggest threat in the competition. With no hesitation at all, the boy replied, "Jasper Yu (Woon Chai)."

He definitely has a point to be worried. National shuttler Yu overwhelmed Hafizul Kiprawi 21-13, 21-6 last night to also advance into the semi-finals.

The coach of the Department of Youth and Sports badminton scheme, Wahab Moksin, will be happy with one of his charges' performance at least. Earlier before the tournament started, Wahab predicted that his trainees: Ihsan, Sheril, and brothers Faiz and Md Syahmil Fajrin Wahab could make it to the final, maybe even face each other.

However, Sheril's victory last night meant that he is the sole survivor of the four. Faiz was eliminated on Tuesday while his brother was ousted last night. Md Syahmil was stopped in his tracks by Md Fairesyah, who beat him 16-21, 21-11 and 21-12 to claim a spot in the semi-finals.

Another highlight of last night's action was Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzillah Lubabul Bulqiah and partner Aziz Pehin Dato Hj Jaafar's 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 triumph in the Open Mixed Doubles.

It was a tightly contested match from the start, HRH and Aziz and opponents Pg Md Hamdilah and Shamin Fai Fai exchanging fiery blows one after another to bring the match into the rubber set.

However as exhaustion set down upon both teams that led to both teams committing its share of mistakes, it was the pair of HRH and partner that prevailed.

All semi-finals will be contested on Friday with the finals for each respective categories slated for Saturday.