National women’s badminton team narrowly lost 2-3 to Indonesia in the SEA Games semi-finals, extending their eight-year wait for a final berth.
MALAYSIA came agonisingly close to ending their eight-year wait for a place in the women’s team badminton final after losing 2-3 to Indonesia in the semi-finals of the SEA Games Thailand 2025 today.
Indonesia’s world number 76 Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari delivered the winning point in the decisive fifth match, defeating Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi 21-18, 21-16 at Gymnasium 4, Thammasat University Rangsit Campus.
National women’s singles head coach Iskandar Zulkarnain said Siti Zulaikha struggled to maintain focus and power after the interval in the second game.
“I think Siti Zulaikha’s focus dropped slightly and could not maintain her power in returning her opponent’s shots,” he told reporters.
Malaysia had gotten off to a poor start when first singles player K. Letshanaa was outclassed by Putri Kusuma Wardani 21-9, 21-10.
The national team drew level through their world number two women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who edged Rachel Allessya Rose-Febi Setianingrum 21-14, 17-21, 21-16.
Malaysia’s second singles player Wong Ling Ching then pulled off a major upset by defeating world number 10 Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 22-20, 15-21, 21-16.
Ling Ching, who has been down with the flu, admitted she did not expect such an outcome.
“I know she is a skilful and experienced player. I had expected to be thrashed by her,” she said.
Indonesia dragged the tie into a decider as their pair Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma-Meilysa Trias Puspitasari overwhelmed the scratch combination of Go Pei Kee-Toh Ee Wei 21-10, 21-9.
Indonesia will face defending champions Thailand in the final for the fourth consecutive edition after the hosts brushed aside Singapore 3-0 in the other semi-final.
Today’s results meant Malaysia share the bronze medal with Singapore in the women’s team event.
