Malaysia outplayed United States 3-0 to emerge as Group E winners of the world men’s team squash championship in Odense, Denmark, on Tuesday.
Malaysia, who defeated Finland 2-1 in their other fixture in the group on Monday, face an uphill task against six-time champions Pakistan to seal a place in the quarter-finals.
The Pakistanis finished as Group F runners-up after losing 1-2 to South Africa in their final group tie.
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan gave Malaysia a rousing start against the US, beating Preston Quick 11-3, 15-13, 12-10 and Mohd Azlan Iskandar gave the team an unassailable lead with a 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6 win over Julian Ilingworth.
Ong Beng Hee made it 3-0 by coming back from a set down to beat Gilly Lane 10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9.
Favourites Egypt, who won all three Group A matches will face Germany in the second round while defending champions England will take on Kuwait.
The winners of the second round ties advance to the quarter-finals and the losers go into the ninth-16th classification playoffs.- thestar
