Bangkok: Malaysia’s Uber Cup campaign theoretically has come to an end after a 1-4 defeat to Thailand on Monday.
Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei (World No. 80) proved she still got what it takes to become a world-class women’s singles player as she gave Ratchanok Intanon (World No. 8) a spirited fight before bowing out 21-14, 14-21, 15-21 in the first women’s singles match.
Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (World No. 11) were looking for a repeat of victory against their Denmark opponents on Sunday and played a strong match to thump Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajongjai (World No. 8) of Thailand 16-21, 21-19, 21-17.
However, Myisha Mohd Khairul, Valeree Siow/Teoh Mei Xing, and Tan Zhing Yi all lost their respective matches in the second women’s singles, second women’s doubles, and third women’s singles and Malaysia eventually went down 1-4 against Thailand.
Only the top two teams in each group would qualify for the knockout stage. Even Malaysia beat Egypt on Tuesday, it would be ranked third in Group C, thus, will not eligible for the quarter-finals.
Spearheaded by the Tokyo Olympics champion – Chen Yufei, the Uber Cup defending champions China didn’t face any trouble to see off Spain 5-0 on Monday.
Chen and former World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying are likely to set up a rematch of the Tokyo Olympics final when both will play each other in the tie between China and Chinese Taipei on Tuesday. Chinese Taipei overcame Australia 5-0 on Monday.