PHNOM PENH: It took Malaysia 30 years to reach the final, but the final step was still a little too far for the national women's table tennis team.
Malaysia lost 3-0 to regional powerhouses Thailand in the final at the Morodok Techo Stadium in Phnom Penh today.
The pressure, the momentous occasion got to the Malaysian women, leaving them in tears.
Karen Lyne went down 11-5, 11-9, 11-9 to Thai Suthasini Sawettabut in the first tie.
Next Alice Chang put up a tenacious fight before she was edged by Orawan Paranang 11-5, 6-11, 6-11, 11-8, 9-1.
Tee Ai Xin couldn't keep Malaysia in the game, losing to Jinnipa Sawettabut 11-2, 11-8, 11-7 in the third tie.
Though the Malaysian women, in finishing second, improved on their bronze effort in Hanoi last year, Ai Xin and Alice were hugely disappointed.
Ai Xin felt she had let her team down while Alice said she could have made the difference.
"I put a lot of pressure on myself, I feel sorry for my teammates," said a dejected Ai Xin.
Alice said: "The Thai player I played was the singles champion in the last Sea Games. I feel a bit regretful for not winning my match after coming so close."
KW: table tennis, seagames2023, Malaysia, Thailand