Malaysian shuttlers return home from Hanoi empty-handed

PETALING JAYA: It was a triple blow for Malaysian badminton at the Vietnam International Challenge in Hanoi.

Malaysian shuttlers were involved in the most number of finals - a total of three - but Goh Giap Chin (pic), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Vivian Hoo-Chow Mei Kuan fell short.

Independent shuttler Giap Chin of New Vision Badmin­ton Academy (NVBA) went down 9-21, 15-21 to Kento Momota of Japan in the men’s singles final.

Still, NVBA’s co-owner K. Yogendran was pleased with Giap Chin’s runner-up finish.

“As a club player, Giap Chin has made all of us proud.

“He showed that club players can go far in a tournament,” said the former international, who thanked Spritzer, Fleet and the academy for the financial support.

National back-up men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik lost 18-21, 14-21 to Maneepong Jongjit-Nathakarn Yordphaisong of Thailand.

Commonwealth Games-bound Vivian Hoo-Chow Mei Kuan put up a valiant fight but it was not good enough to upset second seeds Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu-rim of South Korea in the women’s doubles final.

They went down 10-21, 21-17, 17-21 in a one-hour and 18 minute energy-sapping match yesterday.