We should have beaten Hoki-Kobayashi

As it transpired, Chia-Soh lost 21-12, 20-22, 21-23 despite holding one match point in the second game and three match points in the deciding game.

“We should have won the match. It wasn’t easy playing them despite them just returning from injury. In terms of our gameplay, it was going well, but we just could not convert that one point. We’ll be better for the next match,” said Chia.

Malaysia went on to lose the overall tie 2-3 against Japan, despite having a 2-0 lead at one stage.

That loss pitted the national team against China in the quarter-finals, which they lost 3-0.

Chia-Soh’s defeat against Hoki-Kobayashi meant they have only won twice in 11 meetings against the Japanese.

Despite Hoki-Kobayashi’s superior record against the Malaysians, Chia-Soh were expected to beat them having recently won the Badminton Asia Championships (BAC).

Hoki-Kobayashi were also rusty coming into the match, with the Sudirman Cup being only their second tournament in 2025.

They had lost in the first round of the BAC against Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin in their first competition this year.

Chia-Soh will look to put that disappointment swiftly behind them as they prepare for the upcoming Thailand Open which takes place next week.