Asian Games: India denies Malaysia fourth gold medal

The Indian men's squash team denied Malaysia from obtaining a fourth gold medal at the 17th Asian Games here on Saturday.

Malaysia's former world number 10, Mohd Azlan Iskandar failed to secure the first point of the men's team final when he was defeated by Sandhu Harinder Pal Singh in the opening set.

Mohd Azlan appeared to lose momentum in the first two sets which saw Sandhu take the match with scores of 8-11 and 5-11 before Mohd Azlan overcame in the third set by winning 11-8.

Sandhu played some brilliant shots in the last game to breeze through 11-4 for India's first point.

Malaysia's number one, the 30-year-old Ong Beng Hee started off brilliantly by winning the opening set with a 11-6 score but Saurav Ghosal made it 1-1 when he took the second set 11-7.

Ong then lost his momentum in the third set at 6-11, before he took the fourth set, 14-12.

Saurav sealed the match with scores of 11-9 in a match that lasted for an hour and 28 minutes.

"We are really disappointed not to get the gold, it was so close and at the same time, credit India's number three player who played very well to beat Azlan.

"I gave everything I could today, but a little bit unlucky not to win the fifth game.

"Probably, the pressure came a little bit on me after Azlan lost. As team captain, I was really disappointed that me and my teammate did not get the gold today," said Ong.

Today's win was his sixth medal in the Asian Games.

"I was just unfortunate to finish without gold in my last Asian Games (outing)," he said.

Ong won his first gold medal in Busan and Doha (2002 and 2006), and bronze in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

Malaysia secured the silver medal while the bronze medal was won by Kuwait and Hong Kong.

On the development of the young players, Ong said the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) and National Sports Council (NSC) should discuss the programme for the young generation, like Mohamad Nafiizwan Mohd Adnan and Ivan Yuen.

"I think the coaches will have a lot to think now. They cannot be relying on me and Azlan again and I might be in retirement. Maybe, SRAM have to think about the funding for the young generation to get the exposure needed, the proper coaching," he added.