The national women’s badminton squad came back from two sets down to win 3-2 against Spain to finish third place in Group A of the Uber Cup at the Kunshan Sports Centre today.
Malaysia, who were eliminated from the tournament after suffering a second successive defeat at the hands of Denmark yesterday, had nothing to play for but pride and honour. Sonia Cheah replaced Tee Jing Yi as the third singles player for the Uber Cup squad.
World Junior Champion Goh Jin Wei, who is only 16 years-old, put up a valiant fight against the best badminton player in the world, Carolina Marin, but lost 18-21, 22-20, 16-21 in a match that lasted almost 80 minutes (1 hour, 17 minutes). Spain earned their second point after Beatriz Corrales brought down Ho Yen Mei 21-13, 21-9 in less than half an hour.
There was a glimmer of hope for Malaysia when Sonia Cheah defeated world No. 144 Clara Azurmendi 21-14, 21-18. The group stage match was levelled when Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean won Beatriz Corrales-Lorena Usle 21-12, 21-7 in a measly 22 minutes.
The double pairing of Amelia Alicia Anscelly-Woon Khe Wei eased past Clara Azurmendi-Laia Oset 21-12, 21-13 and ensured a win for Malaysia which took them third in Group A.
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