Malaysian shuttlers lose to Japan in Asian Games

JAKARTA: Malaysia have crashed out in the first round of the men's badminton team competition in the  Indonesian Asian Games after being outplayed 0-3 by third seeds Japan.

 World No. 27 Liew Daren was no match for reigning world champion Kento Momota in the opening singles, losing 13-21, 14-21 at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday.

Daren was also beaten by Momota in the semi-finals of the World Championships in Nanjing earlier this month.

 Malaysia were banking on experienced Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong to level the contest in the next men's match, but they failed to deliver.

The Rio Olympics silver medallists failed to build on their 5-1 lead in the first game to go down 18-21, 18-21 to world No. 3 Keigo Sonoda-Takeshi Kamura.

Debutant Lee Zii Jia put up a spirited display but it was not enough to deny Kenta Nishimoto from sealing a resounding victory for the Thomas Cup runner-up.

Nishimoto won 21-18, 21-17.

With the defeat, Malaysia failed to retain the bronze won in Incheon four years ago.

The team will now switch their focus to the individual events which begins on Thursday (Aug 23).

Malaysia are represented in all the events except the women's singles.