Singapore’s decade long wait to be crowned Women’s Team champions once more at the Southeast Asian Championships ended on Thursday night, as the team of Ser Lin Qian, Zeng Jian, Loy Ming Ying, Tan Zhao Yun and Zhang Wanling came from behind to defeat hosts and defending champion Thailand, 3-2, in a see-saw final.
The last time the Women’s team tasted glory was way back in 2014, when the event was held in Cambodia, and since then, the Republic have finished runners-up twice (2016, 2022) and joint-third once (2018). There was no competition in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ser, 19, showed why she is fast becoming one of Singapore’s top players as she got her team off to the perfect start, needing only 19 minutes to clinch a 3-0 victory over Wanwisa Aueawiriyayothin, winning 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.
Next up against Phatsaraphon Wonglakhon, who plays a long-pimple style, Singapore’s number one Zeng Jian could not find a counter to the Thai’s unorthodox playing style, and the Singaporean fell 1-3 (8-11, 11-8, 9-11, 9-11) as Thailand levelled the tie at 1-1.
The third singles saw a battle of the 14-year-olds, as rising star Loy Ming Ying took on Kulapassr Vijitvirayagul. With both players familiar with each other having faced each other many times in recent years, it was the Thai youngster that came out trumps, as she gave her country a 2-1 lead with a 11-7, 14-12, 11-5 victory.
Needing to stave off defeat for Singapore, Zeng put aside her earlier loss to Phatsaraphon as she looked a totally different player to beat Wanwisa in straight sets, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10, to send the game to a deciding match between Ser and Phatsaraphon.
It was not looking good for Ser as she lost 6-11 in the first set, but she gradually got into her stride and managed to do what Zeng could not, winning three straight sets, 11-8, 12-10, 11-8 to send her teammates into delirium.
“Approaching the final game, knowing the stakes were at their highest, required a focused mindset and a clear plan. We trusted our preparation, stayed disciplined, and leaned on the teamwork that brought us this far. The key was to stay composed, treat it like any other game, and execute our strategies under pressure”, said match winner Ser.
She added, “Winning the title feels absolutely incredible—it’s the culmination of hard work, sacrifice, and determination. It’s a moment that validates everything we’ve worked for, and there’s no better feeling than celebrating it with the team and our supporters.”
The team had earlier breezed through the Group stage with three straight 3-0 wins over Brunei, Indonesia and Laos, and then beat neighbours Malaysia by the same scoreline in the semifinals to set up the clash against Thailand.
Women’s Team Full Results
Group Stage:
Singapore vs Brunei 3-0
Ser Lin Qian vs Ting Siew Chien 3-0 (2, 3, 1)
Tan Zhao Yun vs Audrey Dupaggal Koh 3-0 (1, 1, 2)
Loy Ming Ying vs Foo Su Shan 3-0 (2, 3, 1)
Singapore vs Indonesia 3-0
Ser Lin Qian vs Rina Sintya 3-1 (7, -5, 8, 9)
Zeng Jian vs Anastasya Fabian 3-0 (7, 6, 7)
Loy Ming Ying vs Mira Fitria 3-0 (4, 1, 7)
Singapore vs Laos 3-0
Zhang Wan Ling vs Choutiphone Sisomboun 3-0 (5, 2, 8 )
Ser Lin Qian vs Bounleut Keomany 3-0 (4, 4, 3)
Loy Ming Ying vs Thipphavanh Xaiphetvong 3-0 (3, 2, 2)
Semi Finals:
Singapore vs Malaysia 3-0
Ser Lin Qian vs Karen Lyne 3-1 (10, -5, 5, 4)
Zeng Jian vs Tee Ai Xin 3-1 (9, -11, 6, 10)
Loy Ming Ying vs Cheah Yu Zheng 3-1 (9, 7, -9, 9)
Final
Singapore vs Thailand 3-2
Ser Lin Qian vs Wanwisa Aueawiriyayothin 3-0 (6, 9, 5)
Zeng Jian vs Phatsaraphon Wonglakhon 1-3 (-8, 8, -9, -9)
Loy Ming Ying vs Kulapassr Vijitvirayagul 0-3 (-7, -12, -5)
Zeng Jian vs Wanwisa Aueawiriyayothin 3-0 (2, 8, 10)
Ser Lin Qian vs Phatsaraphon Wonglakhon 3-2 (-6, 8, 10, 8)
