KUALA LUMPUR: The national junior squash players fell short at the British Junior Open in Birmingham on Saturday, with none advancing to the semi-finals.
Top seed Harith Danial Jefri, a bronze medalist at last year's World Junior Championships, was a disappointment in the boys' Under-19 event.
He lost 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 to fifth seed Christian Capella of the United States in the quarter-finals.
Harith will now play for fifth place.
Compatriot and third seed Low Wa Sern also exited the tournament, losing 11-8, 11-2, 11-8 to American Alexander Dartnell.
In the Under-17 category, fifth seed M. Nickhileswar and Altamis Aqhar Sallam Sufian were also eliminated in the quarter-finals.
Nickhileswar fell to Egypt's Seifeldin Refaay (11-7, 7-11, 11-2, 11-7), while Altamis lost to top seed Adam Hawal (11-8, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8).
The others who lost on Saturday were Simarver Singh Bamotra (Under-15), Hisshan Nair Tan and Wayne Isaac Wilson (Under-13) and Nik Izz Dameer Norifaizal (Under-11).
National coach Shahril Shahidan admitted that the results were not good.
"Harith was not fit enough as he has just recovered from an ankle injury sustained two weeks ago," said Shahril.
"Harith and Wa Sern are studying abroad, so they will consult their university coaches to review their performances and adjust their game.
"Our boys in the Under-17 category played well but could not match the Egyptians.
"Overall, our players must prepare better for next year's edition."