KUALA LUMPUR – The national women’s junior squash squad’s dream of making history at the 2023 Women’s World Junior Team Championship in Melbourne, Australia fell short after succumbing to top seeds Egypt 0-2 in the final today.
The defeat saw Malaysia once again lose in the final to the same opponent for the third time and failed to end the wait of almost four decades to be crowned champion.
In the clash, Egypt collected the first point after Zeina Zein only needed 27 minutes to defeat K. Sehveetrraa 3-1 (11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 11-10).
Egypt confirmed their 10th world championship after Amina Orfi, who was the player who stole the spotlight in this edition, beat Aira Azman 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-2) in 34 minutes.
This is the eighth consecutive time that Egypt have emerged as the champions of the tournament.
National coach Andrew Cross accepted the defeat after earlier expecting to an uphill task against Egypt.
“They (Egypt) have some really good players, they have the top seed as well as second and third seeds in their team. We knew it will be very tough but the girls gave everything and play their best.
“It’s good they made it to the final, it’s an experience that will stay with them forever and we just gonna keep trying,” he said when contacted after the final.
In the previous women’s team event of the World Junior Squash Championships, Malaysia lost 1-2 to England in the 2001 final and 0-2 to Egypt in the 2007, 2017 and 2019. – Bernama
