PETALING JAYA: The national women shuttlers were dealt a harsh lesson in the Asia Team Championships after bowing out in the quarter-finals on Friday.
Malaysia led by singles shuttler K. Letshanaa were outclassed 0-3 by a full-strength South Korean team, boasting the likes of world No. 1 An Se-young.
Singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen admitted that the Koreans proved to be too strong for Malaysia.
“We knew our level and the Koreans proved they were too strong,” said Jonassen.
“I saw some positives in our attitude early on in most matches but when the Korean players raised the level of performance we did not have enough to fight back.’’
World No. 37 Letshanaa succumbed 11-21, 11-21 to Se-young in 36 minutes at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium in China yesterday.
The others fell like tenpins too as world No. 25 Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting lost 13-21, 9-21 to Baek Ha-na-Kim Hye-jeong in 40 minutes while world No. 41 Wong Ling Ching failed to save the tie after going down 16-21, 12-21 to world No. 70 Park Ga-eun in 44 minutes.
Jonassen said the tournament was a steep learning curve for his charges.
“A lot to learn for our young players from this competition. We need to go back and keep pushing the current limits and gain new and higher future limits,” said Jonassen.
“Of course it’s important to start well in matches but also have the ability to be resilient when they are pushed back.’’
With the exit, the team have again failed to qualify on merit for the Uber Cup Finals from April 24-May 3 in Horsens, Denmark.
Only the semi-finalists in the Asia team meet will automatically book their spots in the Uber Cup.
Malaysia though will still be able to make the cut based on their world team rankings of No. 5.
