HK end up a dismal fourth

THE bubble burst on Hongkong on the last two days of the Asian Junior Squash Championships in Singapore when they went down to Pakistan and Malaysia and finished fourth in the boys' team competition.

Hongkong, led by individual champion Jackie Lee Chun-kit, were unbeaten in the preliminary round and were fancied to do well in the semi-finals against Pakistan.

But perennial champions Pakistan stamped their authority with a 2-1 victory, sending Hongkong into the third place play-off against Malaysia.

The territory were overwhelmingly favoured to win the play-off, having blanked the Malaysians in the preliminary round through John Choi Wing-yiu, Wong Wai-hang and Au Chun-tat.

The Hongkong lads, however, cracked up under the pressure and suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat.

Yam Kok Four gave Malaysia the first point by beating John in straight games and Kenneth Low sealed the tie with a 1-9, 9-1, 9-3, 9-6 triumph over Jackie Lee, the Hongkong ace's first defeat in the tournament.

Preman Menon completed the rout by coming back from the brink of defeat to outlast Wong 4-9, 6-9, 10-9, 9-8, 9-5.