Second Loss, Malaysia Concede 1-3 Defeat To Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian badminton squad suffered its second loss after it was defeated by Thailand 1-3 at the fourth preliminary rounds of the 2014 Axiata Cup Badminton Championship at the Bratama Arena, Jakarta on Sunday. Malaysia's point was obtained through men's singles player Liew Daren who showed excellent performance in defeating Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 21-18 and 21-9. Women's singles player Tee Jing Yi failed to collect the second point when she lost to Ratchanok Intanon 21-6 and 21-19. The men's doubles team Hoo Thien How/Tan Wee Kiong also lost their game easily to Thai's pair Maneepong Jongjit/Nipitphon Puangpuapech 21-13 and 21-15, hence giving Thailand the lead 2-1. All hopes on mixed doubles' pair to score an equaliser died when Tan Aik Guan/Ng Hui Lin lost 21-19 and 21-15 to Sudket Prapakamol/Saralee Thoungthongkam. On Saturday night, Malaysia lost 0-4 to Indonesia. All teams still have three preliminary round matches to play to book the four slots at the semi-finals, which will be held at the Cheras Badminton Stadium on Dec 6 and 7. Malaysia will play against the invited European All Star team on Monday, while Indonesia which is topping the point table standing will play against Singapore. Besides Malaysia as the defending champion, the championship also see the participation of teams from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippine, Vietnam, Singapore and two invited teams, Asia All Star and European All Star. --BERNAMA