Asian Games: Malaysia exit women’s badminton team event despite Cheng Su Yin-Low Zi Yu fightback

Tasked with keeping Malaysia’s medal hopes alive with the team trailing 1-2, the fearless young duo pushed Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong all the way before narrowly losing 21-18, 11-21, 22-24 in a heart-stopping second doubles match. — Picture from X/ShuttleHard

First Published: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 5:23 PM MYT

NAGOYA, Sept 22 — An all-out effort by scratch pair Cheng Su Yin-Low Zi Yu was not enough to keep Malaysia’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games alive, as the country bowed out after a 1-3 defeat to powerhouse South Korea in the women’s team quarter-finals at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium today.

Tasked with keeping Malaysia’s medal hopes alive with the team trailing 1-2, the fearless young duo pushed Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong all the way before narrowly losing 21-18, 11-21, 22-24 in a heart-stopping second doubles match.

Malaysia got off to a rough start when K. Letshanaa was thrashed by reigning Olympic champion and world number one An Se-young 21-12, 21-8 in the opening match.

Malaysia, however, hit back in style in the first doubles when world number five Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah produced a sensational display to stun world number two Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee.

The top national pair held their nerve in crucial moments, winning a tight opening game 22-20 before maintaining their momentum to close out the second 21-17, levelling the overall score 1-1.

South Korea regained the lead in the second singles when Kim Gaeun proved too steady for Wong Ling Ching, wrapping up a 21-12, 21-18 victory.

The defeat means Malaysia’s wait for a medal in the women’s team event continues, as their last medal was at the 1962 Jakarta Games where they clinched silver.

South Korea will take on host nation Japan in the semi-finals. — Bernama