Malaysia fall to Indonesia in Thomas Cup

BANGKOK: Malaysia failed to achieve their semi-final target following a 3-1 defeat to Indonesia in Thursday’s Thomas Cup quarter-final tie.

The result is a huge blow for the shuttlers as they also did not meet their target at last month’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei gave Malaysia a flying start when he defeated Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-19, 21-16 in 49 minutes.

However, Indonesia levelled the tie when World No 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo took 55 minutes to edge Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong 21-19, 20-22, 21-13 in the doubles.

"We gave our best but it wasn't good enough.

"They have that game in them that makes it very difficult to play them," said Wee Kiong.

Jonatan Christie earned Indonesia their second point when he overcame Lee Zii Jia 21-15, 11-21, 21-13 in the second singles match.

Fajar Alfian-Muhd Rian Aedianto then defeated scratch pair Aaron Chia-Teo Ee Yi 21-18, 10-21, 21-9 for Indonesia’s winning point.

In Friday’s semi-finals, Indonesia will take on former winners China while defending champions Denmark play Japan.