Asian Games: Malaysia badminton men's team succumb to South Korea in first round

The men's singles department the biggest letdown as both Lee Zii Jia and Ng Tze Yong both lost when they were expected to deliver two points.

Malaysia conceded the first point after Lee lost 14-21, 21-14, 16-21 against Jeon Heok-jin in the first singles match.

Lee, who had been struggling for form coming to Hangzhou, China, remained stuck in rut after losing this match to a defensively astute Jeon.

The world number 16 was also guilty for several unforced errors in the third game that proved all too costly.

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But first doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik resorted parity for the Malaysians with a commanding 21-17, 21-9 over Seo Seung-jae-Kang Min-hyuk to make it 1-1.

Chia-Soh, who also recently beat the world champions in Hong Kong, were on top of the contest throughout for the deserved win.

Malaysia were expected to take the lead through Ng Tze Yong, but he lost tamely to Lee Yun-gyu 11-21, 16-21.

Ng, who had been going great guns recently, was well below his best and his defeat proved the turning point of this tie.

It was left to Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi to salvage a crucial point, but they too were second fiddle and succumbed to a 16-21,18-21 loss against Kim Won-ho Na Su-seung.

This was the the men's team second consecutive early exit at the Asian Games after suffering the same at the 2018 edition.