KUALA LUMPUR: National junior head coach Jeffer Rosobin's golden dream is on following a strong showing at the World Junior Championships by Malaysian shuttlers who made it to the last eight in various categories in Nanchang today.
Leading the charge is boys' singles Faiq Haziq Masawi who overcame fifth seed Bharath Latheesh of the United Arab Emirates 21-14, 21-19 in the fourth round.
The victory means Faiq will get another chance to better his performance in Spokane, United States, last year where he also made the quarter-finals.
"I am happy to have reached the quarter-finals. Although my opponent was very strong, I fought all out," said Faiq who will meet Zaki Ubaidillah of Indonesia in the last eight.
Boys' doubles top seeds Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing also advanced after beating Hong Kong's Usman Awan-Cyrus Chung Ching 21-12, 21-11 to book a last eight meeting against Indonesians Dexter Ferrell-Wahyu Agung Prasetyo.
Girls' doubles Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting reached the quarter-finals after overcoming Indonesia's Riska Anggraini-Salsabila Sarah Aulia 21-15, 21-9.
A medal has already been secured in the event as Xin Yee-Carmen will meet Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi, who upset third seeds Elsa Jacob-Camille Pognante of the Netherlands 21-15, 21-17, in an all Malaysian quarter-final tie.
Dania continued her fairytale run in the mixed doubles as she and Datu Anif Isaac Asrah reached the last eight by beating Boa Xin Da Gu-Hsieh Mi Yen of Taiwan 21-19, 21-18.
They will meet second seeds Lin Xiang Yi-Liu Yuan Yuan of China next.
Jeffer was overjoyed with the performance of his charges, but wants them to remain focused to secure their semi-final slots.
"All our players and pairs did well today and this raises the chance of fighting for gold," said Jeffer.
"I am banking on Aaron-Khai Xing and Faiq to push for their semi-final slots, although it will be close against the Indonesians.
"The medal is already in hand in the girls' doubles, but they must start believing that Malaysia can also fight for gold."
Meanwhile, Khai Xing said that they have been improving by every match and look forward to continuing their march.
Aaron-Khai Xing, who finished runners-up in the Asian Junior Championships in Yogyakarta in June, are Malaysia's best bet for the title in Nanchang.
RESULTS:
Fourth round (Malaysians unless stated)
Boys' singles: Faiq Haziq Masawi bt Bharath Latheesh (UAE) 21-14, 21-19.
Boys' doubles: Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Usman Awan-Cyrus Chung Ching (HK) 21-12, 21-11; Carsten Spenscer-Dapa Lesmana (Ina) bt Faiq Haziq Masawi-Lok Hong Quan 10-21, 21-17, 21-17.
Girls' Singles: Wang Pei Yu (Tpe) bt Ong Xin Yee 21-10, 14-21, 21-16; Aalisha Naik (Ind) bt Lim Zhi Shin 21-17, 21-17.
Girls' doubles: Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting bt Riska Anggraini-Salsabila Sarah Aulia (Ina) 21-15, 21-9; Low Zi Yu-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Elsa Jacob-Camille Pognante (Ned) 21-15, 21-17.
Mixed doubles: Datu Anif Isaac Asrah-Dania Sofea Zaidi bt Boa Xin Da Gu-Hsieh Mi Yen (Tpe) 21-19, 21-18.