Under par: K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching (bottom) fell below expectations against China in the Asia Team Championships.
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian women’s badminton team have reached the quarter-finals of the Asia Team Championships but their display was far from convincing, with the singles players giving a lacklustre display against China yesterday.
Malaysia went down 4-1 to China in their Group W match yesterday at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium, but they still advanced to the quarter-finals as there are only two teams in the group.
While the result was largely expected, hopes of seeing singles players like K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching continue their excellent form from last week’s Thailand Masters were dashed.
Letshanaa, fielded as the first singles, went down to Han Qianxi 18-21, 10-21, marking her fifth loss to the Chinese player since 2019.
Ling Ching also fell short against world No. 127 Xu Wenjing, losing 14-21, 7-21, while third singles player Oo Shan Zi was beaten by Yuan Anqi 11-21, 11-21.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen said China were tough, even with a back-up team, and admitted that Letshanaa and Ling Ching fell below expectations.
“We knew China would be a tough challenge and we were beaten by a stronger team. But overall, the singles players did not play at their best, and we need to reset ahead of the quarter-finals on Friday,” he said.
Malaysia’s only point came from world Junior runner-up doubles pair Noraqilah Maisarah-Low Zi Yu, who overcame Wang Tingge-Luo Yi 13-21, 21-18, 21-17.
The pair were called up at the last minute to replace Tan Zhing Yi and Cheng Su Hui, with Zhing Yi sidelined due to injury.
“The women’s doubles victory was very impressive and showed great fighting spirit,” Jonassen added.
Meanwhile, Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting, who played earlier, went down 10-21, 8-21 to world No. 4 pair Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian.
The women’s team now await the quarter-final draw, which will determine their opponents for tomorrow’s knockout stage.
The four teams that reach the semi-finals will automatically qualify for the Thomas and Uber Cup, scheduled to take place in Horsens, Denmark, this April.
