PETALING JAYA: Malaysia face a tough task to qualify for the Asia Mixed Team Championships quarter-finals after going down 2-3 to Hong Kong in the opening Group B match.
Mixed doubles shuttlers Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, who were selected ahead of the experienced Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, were hoping to give the team a good start but went down fighting 21-17, 17-21, 11-21 to Tang Chun Man-Ng Tsz Yau in 59 minutes at the Qingdao Conson Sports Center in China on Wednesday (Feb 12).
K. Letshanaa though levelled the scores in the women's singles with an impressive 21-18, 21-18 win over Saloni Samirbhai.
World No. 53 Justin Hoh then gave world No. 21 Lee Cheuk Yiu a scare in the first game before losing 19-21, 16-21 in the men's singles.
World No. 48 women's doubles pair Teoh Mei Xing-Go Pei Kee had to beat world No. 13 Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam to keep Malaysia's chances alive in the tie but found it tough against the higher ranked duo and went down 17-21, 14-21.
With the victory already assured for Hong Kong, men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun earned Malaysia another point with a 21-13, 21-11 victory over Hung Kuei Chun-Lui Chun Wai.
Malaysia now must beat Indonesia on Thursday (Feb 13) to keep their hopes of making the last eight alive.
The Indonesians hold the advantage in the group after beating Hong Kong 5-0 in their first match on Tuesday (Feb 11) and are almost assured of progressing to the quarter-finals.
