13th January, Hong Kong, China: Malaysia and USA have won both their men and women teams in the Team quarter-finals of the 2025 IBF World Cup to advance to the semi-finals with Kuwait, Puerto Rico in the Men's division and Macau, Singapore in the Women's division joining them.
With the strength of PWBA Player of the Year 2024, Sin Li Jane and Singles gold medalist, Natasha Roslan along with the capable Gillian Lim and Siti Safiyah Amirah as team-mates, the quartet got off their campaign with victory in the opening match, 221-200.
The Malaysian won their second match, 187-142 as the Swedes struggle big time. But Anna Andersson, Victoria Johansson, Singles bronze medalist, Nora Johansson and 2017 World Cup winner, Jenny Wegner fought back with a 224-207 win.
Whilst the Swedes struggled again in the fourth match, the Malaysia cruised home to win 226-185, securing their place in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, USA's Bryanna Cote, Jillian Martin, Lauren Russo and anchored by two-time World Cup winner, Shannon Pluhowsky to defeat China, 3-1 to book their rightful place in the semis.
Malaysia's Natasha Roslan, Sin Li Jane, Siti Safiyah Amirah and Gillian Lim
The other two quarter-finals saw them needing a fifth and deciding match for two spots in the semis. Macau, China surprised Germany with a 3-2 victory to firm up their well-deserved spot in the semi. Singapore advanced with a 3-2 win against Philippines. Malaysia will meet Macau and USA will face Singapore.
Meanwhile, USA, Kuwait and Puerto Rico stood out in the men's division quarter-finals. USA's Kris Prather, Matt Russo, Chris Via and Singles bronze medalist, Pack Hanrahan had a 3-0 win over Peru to book their semi-final spot.
Puerto Rico's Cristian Azcona, Edgar Burgos, David Marquez and Jorge Rodriguez also need just three matches to defeat Saudi Arabia, 3-0 in the other quarter-finals. Kuwait's Aseel Alroomi, Abdulrzzaq Mohammad, Adel Ali and Mostafa Almousawi ousted Singapore, 3-0 to advance to the semis.
The final semi-final spot went to Malaysia's Tun Hakim, Timmy Tan, Ahmad Muaz and Singles silver medalist, Rafiq Ismail. Malaysia lost to Germany 184-258 in their opening match but bounced back brilliantly with 234-199, 210-190 and 202-184 to seal victory with 3-1.
It will be an all-PANAM semi-finals affair between USA and Puerto Rico while Malaysia is matched up against Kuwait in an all-Asian encounter. The semi-finals and final will be based on the Bakers Format over best-of-five matches.
USA's Kris Prather, CHris Via, Packy Hanrahan and Matt Russo
The semi-finals and final will be held at the two newly-constructed lanes at Queen Elizabeth Stadium commencing at 3.00 local time. Accredited athletes, team officials and the general public who had applied for free tickets weeks ahead. The event will also be broadcast live on Pearl TV Station.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Hong Kong, China.