SHAH ALAM – National women’s team captain M. Thinaah failed to demonstrate leadership as she could not maintain her winning streak with her partner, Pearly Tan.
The pair succumbed to Thailand’s Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai at the ongoing 2024 Badminton Asia Team Championships at the Setia City Convention Centre today.
The world number 14 Malaysian women’s doubles pair were shaky from the beginning until the end, which saw them eventually losing 20-22, 21-15, 21-19 against their world number 10 opponents.
Thinaah, who was frustrated after the match, told the media at the mixed zone in a post-match conference that she and her partner were only allowed to answer four questions, citing a new protocol that had been instructed to them.
Towards the end of the interview, she abruptly stopped the media from asking further questions and the pair walked away.
“Today, we didn’t live up to our game plan as we were trying to emulate their strategy, and we were trying so hard to match their speed, which is something that we have to work on.
“We enjoyed the games that we have played so far, but we are also focused on winning every point. I also feel that we need to improve our consistency and play even better in our quarter-final match.
“As a captain, I feel disappointed that I’m unable to contribute a point for the team, but at the same time, I hope my teammates can give their best and perform on the court, and our job is to rally behind them,” Thinaah said after the match before avoiding the media.
Thinaah’s captain pep talk made no impact on independent women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei, as she lost in her earlier match against world number 17 Supanida Kathethong this morning.
Jin Wei struggled in the second set and was no match for her opponent’s prowess, losing 13-21, 24-26 in a match lasting 44 minutes.
“I played better than my last game, but I just couldn’t keep up with the momentum in the final set.
“Overall, I need to improve in my next game if I am to be fielded in the quarter-final match,” Jin Wei said.
Malaysia’s losing streak continued under Thinaah’s leadership, as K. Letshanaa lost 17-21, 18-21 to Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the women’s singles match.
Tan Zhing Yi-Teoh Mei Xing also failed to give the nation hope, crashing 17-21, 18-21 to Benyapa Aimsaard-Seong Seung Yeon Aimsaard in the fourth match.
Wong Ling Ching, 21, provided consolation for the women’s team with her dedicated performance, defeating Pornpicha Choeikeewong 21-19, 15-21, 21-16 in a thrilling 65-minute match.
Ling Ching’s victory ensured that Malaysia escaped total humiliation against the Thai team with a score of 1-4.
Malaysia has guaranteed their qualification for the quarter-finals and finished their campaign in Group Y behind Thailand with two points (430-339), while the United Arab Emirates have been eliminated after two consecutive defeats.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stage before a fresh draw is conducted for the last eight.
Additionally, the top four teams from both the men’s and women’s events will qualify for the Thomas and Uber Cup Finals in China, taking place from April 28 to May 5, 2024. – February 15, 2024