KUALA LUMPUR: The national netball team suffered their second straight defeat in the Nations Cup in Singapore on Monday.
The World No 20 Malaysia, coached by Choo Kon Lee, failed to take advantage of their 12-8 lead in the first quarter to lose 48-38 to 22nd-ranked Ireland.
On Monday, the national team, who won the KL Sea Games gold medal in August, were upset 69-35 by unranked Cook Islands.
For Ireland, it was their second win following a 54-53 success over Singapore.
“Our young team produced a better show today compared to the defeat to Cook Islands,” said Kon Lee.
“We started well in the first quarter, but Ireland changed their game style and were more aggressive after that. My players tried their best and I am happy.”
Malaysia will take on World No 30 Swaziland on Tuesday.
“We have a 50-50 chance of winning tomorrow. I hope my players will recover as it will be our third match in as many days,” she added.
World No 20 Hong Kong are the other team competing in the tournament.
For the record, Malaysia’s best finish in the Nations Cup was runners-up in the 2012 edition where they lost to Zimbabwe in the final.
Translated from Berita Harian