(*Credit image: Badminton Planet)
The two doubles pairs did not deliver and so did third singles Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin as Malaysia fell to a 3-2 defeat to Thailand in their opening Group C match in the E-Plus Badminton Asia Team Championships in Alor Setar, Malaysia on Tuesday.
It was a painful defeat for the homesters after world No 2 Lee Chong Wei delivered the first point as he thrashed Khosit Phetpradab 21-13, 21-9 in 33 minute but Thailand were quick to haul themselves and made it 1-1 through Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukrioh in a three game thriller against Olympic silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.
The Thais stunned the Malaysian hopes with a come from behind 16-21, 21-19, 22-20 win in 54 minutes – a point the Malaysians were hoping to deliver in front of their home supporters.
Hopes of a Malaysian victory soared when home boy Lee Zii Jia stormed to an impressive 21-14, 21-12 win over Suppanyu Avihingson in the second singles.
"I was rather nervous playing in front of my fans from my hometown but I was not about to let them down and grew in confidence as the match progressed.
I was able to read my opponent's game and glad that I was able to deliver a point," said Zii Jia after the match.
However, it was another disastrous performance in the doubles when Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi succumbed to a 17-21, 11-21 defeat at the hands of Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash. The score was tied at 2-2.
Still, many had hoped of a Malaysia victory through third singles Iskandar after his performance in the India Open where he fell to eventual champion Shi Yuqi of China in the semi-finals.
However, a lethargic Iskandar was no match against the aggressive Kantaphon Wangcharoen who smashed his way to 21-13, 21-14 win over the Malaysian.
"I am sorry to my people that I could not deliver," said Iskandar after the match. "I just could not match my opponent."
Despite the defeat in both the doubles coach Cheah Soon Kit said he will not any changes to their pairings.
"They (both pairs) made some mistakes and the Thais capitalised on our shortcomings.
Hoepfully they will bounced back in the two matches (against Myanmar and Chinese Taipei)," said Soon Kit, adding that he will speak to the players and analyse their game.
RESULTS (Feb 6)
MEN
GROUP C
Thailand beat Malaysia 3-2
(Thailand first)
MS1: Khosit Phetpradap lost to Lee Chong Wei 13-21, 9-21
MD1: Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh beat Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong 16-21, 21-19, 22-20
MS2: Suppanyu Avihingsanon lost to Lee Zii Jia 14-21, 12-21
Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash beat Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 21-17, 21-11
Kantaphon Wangcharoen beat Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin 21-13, 21-14
Chinese Taipei beat Myanmar 5-0
GROUP D
India beat Philippines 5-0
Indonesia beat Maldives 5-0
