30-4-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In a devastating blow, the young Malaysian badminton team faced a crushing 0-5 loss against Thailand in their second Group B match at the Uber Cup Finals. The Malaysian team, ranked second nationally, made several strategic decisions, including fielding K. Letshanaa instead of their top player Goh Jin Wei in the first singles match. Letshanaa, currently ranked 68th in the world, struggled against Thailand’s Supanida Katethong, ranked 16th, and ultimately lost with a score of 17-21, 6-21.
The momentum did not shift in Malaysia’s favor as the scratch pair Teoh Mei Xing and Go Pei Kee fought hard in the second doubles match but faced formidable opponents in the world’s 10th-ranked pair, Jongkolphan Kitithararul and Rawinda Prajongjai. Despite their efforts, Teoh and Go were unable to overcome their opponents and suffered a defeat with a score of 10-21, 14-21.
Malaysia’s hopes rested on Wong Ling Ching, ranked 81st in the world, to secure a victory in the third singles match. However, Wong faced a tough challenge against Pornpawee Chochuwong, ranked 19th globally, and was defeated with a score of 11-21, 15-21.
In the second doubles match, the scratch pair of Tan Zhing Yi and Chan Wen Tse faced a formidable Thai duo, Laksika Kanlaha and Phataimas Muenwong. Despite their efforts, Tan and Chan were outmatched and lost with a score of 12-21, 8-21.
The final blow came in the fifth singles match, where Malaysia’s Siti Nurshuhaini Azman struggled against Busanan Ongbamrungphan and suffered a defeat with a score of 5-21, 8-21.
Captain Mei Xing expressed visible disappointment following the team’s loss. She stated, “We gave everything in the match but we could not win. We are disappointed and we want to bounce back in our next match against Australia.”
This defeat marks Malaysia’s second consecutive loss in the tournament after their 1-4 defeat to Taiwan in the opening match. With these results, Malaysia’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals have been eliminated. Their final group match will be against Australia tomorrow.
It is worth noting that Malaysia last reached the quarter-finals in the Uber Cup team event during the 2010 edition, which took place in Kuala Lumpur.
