Sudirman Cup: Malaysia's campaign ends against China

Truth be told, the national team were massive underdogs coming into this tie against the defending champions and most successful team in the history of this competition.

China have won 13-titles since the first edition in 1989, and it would take a huge breakthrough from the other competing nations to dethrone a squad made up of two world number one shuttlers, with the rest ranked in the top 10.

China won in the first three matches, which meant Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah did not get an opportunity to play.

Truth be told, if the men’s doubles and women’s doubles fixtures were placed as the first three matches, Malaysia would stand a chance to gain a point or two through Goh-Izzuddin and Tan-Thinaah.

But after national mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei lost in straight games 17-21, 17-21 against Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping, the writing was on the wall for Malaysia.

Malaysia's weakest link lie in the men's and women's singles, and it showed against world class opponents.

Leong Jun Hao was no match for world number one Shi Yu Qi, who dismantled him 21-6, 21-14 in 38-minutes.

2020 Tokyo Olympics champion Chen Yu Fei was left to secure the winning point against K.Letshaana, which she duly delivered with a 21-8, 21-7 win.