PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s women’s badminton team's 1-4 defeat to China in their Group W match of the Asian Team Championships in Qingdao on Wednesday (Feb 4) was largely expected but there were positives to take from the performance.
The tie at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium saw women’s singles shuttler K. Letshanaa take to the court first, but she had to concede defeat to Han Qianxi after going down 18-21, 10-21.
Young doubles pair Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee also struggled against Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian, losing 10-21, 8-21 in 31 minutes.
China sealed the tie through women’s singles player Xu Wenjing, who beat Wong Ling Ching 21-14, 21-7.
Although another doubles match was played merely to complete the tie, Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah showed strong fighting spirit as they overcame Luo Yi and Wang Tingge 13-21, 21-18, 21-17 to earn Malaysia’s sole point.
In the third singles, Oo Shan Zi later succumbed to Yuan Anqi, losing 11-21, 11-21.
Despite the defeat, the national women’s team had already secured a place in the quarter-finals as there were only two teams in Group W.
The quarter-final draw will be held on Thursday (Feb 5) after all matches are completed, with Malaysia set to avoid China in the next round.
