Malaysia's Sudirman Cup Hopes Evaporate In The Heat Of Gold Coast After Defeat To Japan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- The National badminton squad’s Sudirman Cup campaign ended in the quarter-finals after losing 1-3 to Japan in the Gold Coast, Australia, Friday. In the game, only Lee Chong Wei maintained his consistency by contributing the solitary point when he defeated Kenta Nishimoto 21-15, 21-13 in the men's singles. Earlier National men's doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong went down 17-21, 21-16, 11-21 to unheralded Japanese pair Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonada while women's singles hope Sonia Cheah surrendered tamely to Nozomi Okuhara 11-21, 9-21 in just 34 minutes. Later women's doubles pair of Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei were crushed 7-21 and 14-21 by Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi. Japan are scheduled to meet China in the semi-finals while South Korea will face Thailand in the other semis Saturday. -- BERNAMA