Malaysia lost 4-1 to Chinese Taipei in their Uber Cup opening Group B match, a defeat which makes their road to the quarter-finals a challenging one.

The defeat means that the national team will now have to beat Thailand and Australia in order to advance to the knockout stage.

Goh Jin Wei gave a commendable effort against Tai Tzu-ying in the first singles, but ultimately fell to a 19-21, 20-22 defeat against the world number five.

Goh had an excellent chance to at least take this encounter to a decider with a 20-19 lead in the second game, but couldn't convert and Tai rallied back to secure the win.

But Malaysia levelled proceedings through Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing, who put on an excellent performance to beat Hsu Ya-ching-Lin Wan-ching 21-17, 21-17.

Go-Teoh were playing in the first doubles in the absence of Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah, and did well to handle the pressure of giving the country a point.

But Chinese Taipei went ahead in the next match after Hsu Wen-chi outclassed K.Letshaana 17-21, 21-17, 21-16, before Hu Ling-fang-Teng Chun-hsun made it 3-1.

The second doubles pair beat the fresh pairing of Ho Lo Ee-Tan Zhing Yi 21-17, 21-11 to secure the outright win.

Sung Shuo-yun capped off a fine win for Chinese Taipei when she saw off Wong Ling Ching 21-17, 22-20.

Malaysia face a do-or-die second match against Thailand next on Monday (5pm).