The leading contenders kept their campaigns firmly on track at the Badminton Asia Junior Mixed Team Championships 2026, with the race for the group titles set to take centre stage tomorrow.
With quarter-final places secured, several heavyweight clashes now await to determine the final standings heading into the knockout rounds.
The biggest attraction will be in Group B, where defending champions China meet hosts Japan after both sides secured comfortable wins to book their places in the last eight.
China, spearheaded by world junior No. 15 Luo Jing Yu and reigning Asian junior champion Yin Yi Qing, accounted for the United Arab Emirates 110-59, taking the two sets 55-33 and 55-26.
Japan kept pace with a 110-71 victory over Sri Lanka. The home side claimed the opening set 55-24 before closing out the second 55-47, setting up what should be one of the standout ties of the group stage.
Group D has a similar storyline. Former champions Malaysia and Indonesia will meet with first place at stake after both sides made short work of their opponents on Friday.
Indonesia brushed aside Macau China 55-16, 55-15, while Malaysia defeated South Korea 110-60. Led by Kong Wei Xiang, the Malaysians controlled both sets, winning 55-32 and 55-28 to stay unbeaten.
In Group C, Chinese Taipei and India will battle for top spot after recording their second straight victories. Chinese Taipei were briefly stretched by the Philippines but still completed a 2-0 win with scores of 55-28 and 55-35. India, meanwhile, had little difficulty overcoming Kazakhstan, taking the sets 55-31 and 55-21.
The final group decider comes in Group A, where Thailand face Hong Kong China.
Hong Kong China defeated Singapore 55-36, 55-29, while last year’s runners-up Thailand continued their steady march into the knockout rounds.
This year’s tournament is being contested under the new relay format, with each tie played over the best of three 55-point sets. Every set features all five disciplines, with the score carrying over from one match to the next until one team reaches the target.
The top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals.
MATCH SCHEDULE (June 28)
Group A
• Thailand vs Hong Kong China
Group B
• China vs Japan
• United Arab Emirates vs Sri Lanka
Group C
• India vs Chinese Taipei
• Kazakhstan vs Philippines
Group D
• Malaysia vs Indonesia
• South Korea vs Macau China
