The final round of the badminton team event was played this morning on Day 3 of the Australian Youth Olympic Festival with Australia losing to Singapore 0-5.

In the mixed doubles, Leanne Choo and Kenny Ng pushed Li En Colleen Goh and Zhao Jiang Terry Yeo to a close first set, losing 20-22. The Singaporeans sealed the match winning the second set 9-21.

“The match was pretty good but I don’t think I played as well as I could, making a few errors at the crucial moments,” Ng said.

The men’s singles saw Samuel Ho lose to Yong Zhao Ashton Chen 5-21 9-21.

Intense rallies took place throughout the women’s singles with Erica Pong up against Goh. With both girls winning one set each, consistency and accuracy proved to be the key to sealing the match and Pong lost 21-18 9-21 17-21.

It was another close game in the women’s doubles between Aussie pair Leanne Choo and Louise McKenzie and Singapore pair Ting Ting Thng and Vanessa Jill Poo.

Despite a last-minute chase by Choo and McKenzie in the third set, Singapore’s shot variation allowed them to win the match 21-15 14-21 19-21.

In the men’s doubles, Ng and Ma took on Yeo and Zi Liang Derek Wong but lost 5-21 8-21.

 With the conclusion of the badminton team event, Australia Gold finished in 6th place with China taking the gold.

“As a team, they’ve really matured with the badminton played. They’re a young team with not a lot of international experience and their performances have been above what we expected,” Andrew Perks, coach of Australia Gold said.

Individual events will begin this afternoon at the Sydney Sports Hall in Homebush.

Morning session results for Pool A:
Singapore 5 def Australia Gold 0
China 5 def Malaysia 0
Great Britain 5 def New Zealand One 0

Final placing for Pool A:
1st: China
2nd: Malaysia
3rd: Singapore
4th: Great Britain
5th: Australia Gold
6th: New Zealand One

Ellen Li
AYOF