Uber Cup: Malaysia go down fighting to Thailand

Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah celebrate after winning one point for Malaysia against Thailand.

BANGKOK: Malaysia went down fighting 1-4 to Thailand in the Group C tie of the Uber Cup Finals.

In a surprise move, world No. 80 Goh Jin Wei was promoted to the first singles and she did not disappoint as she held home favourite Ratchanok Intanon by the jugular before going down fighting 21-14, 14-21, 15-21.

Her fiery display set the tempo for Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah as they went on to beat Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 16-21, 21-19, 21-17 in an exciting 71-minute doubles match to put Malaysia back in the fight at 1-1.

Youngster Myisha Khairul sparked a glimmer of hope when she played a close opening game, losing 22-20 against Pornpawee Chochuwong, only to be beaten 10-21 in the second.

It went downhill after that.

Scratch pair Valeree Siow-Teoh Mei Xing were bundled out 9-21, 14-21 by Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard in 32 minutes while debutant Tan Zhing Yi did give a good account of herself in the first game before losing 19-21, 6-21 to Busanan Ongbamrungphan.