BAMTC: Malaysia face do-or-die clash against Indonesia after Hong Kong loss

Malaysia will need to produce a huge performance against Indonesia in their Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships final group match, after suffering a 3-2 defeat against Hong Kong on Wednesday.

It was a tie the Malaysians were expected to win, but the setback now puts them in a do-or-die showdown against long-time rivals Indonesia on Thursday.

Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin were fielded in the first match of the day, but the national mixed doubles pair failed to deliver despite winning the first game and succumbed to a 21-17, 17-21, 11-21 defeat against Tang Chun Man-Ng Tsz Yau.

K.Letshaanna restored parity for the national team with a hard fought 21-18, 21-18 win against Saloni Samirbhai to make it 1-1.

Justin Hoh was next up against Lee Cheuk Yiu in the men’s singles, and despite a promising first game which saw him match the world number 21, Hoh lost in straight games 19-21, 16-21.

Malaysia’s fate in this contest was sealed when women’s doubles pair Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing lost to the higher ranked Yeung Nga Ting-Yeung Pui Lam 17-21, 14-21.

Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun pulled back a point for the country when they easily overcame Hung Kuei Chun-Lui Chun Wai 21-13, 21-11 in the men’s doubles.

The Indonesia Masters champions’ win is an important one, as their victory margin could determine which country progresses to the quarter-finals.

Malaysia must now beat Indonesia convincingly to possess a much better points advantage to seal their berth. This is because Indonesia have already beaten Hong Kong 5-0 on Tuesday.

A line-up reshuffle is expected against the Indonesians, with Leong Jun Hao and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai most certainly expected to feature.