KUALA LUMPUR: As expected, Malaysia crashed out in the preliminary stage of the Uber Cup after being whipped 5-0 by Thailand for their second successive defeat in Group B in Chengdu on Monday.
Siti Nurshuhaini Azman's subdued 21-5, 21-8 loss in just 27 minutes to world No. 20 Busanan Ongbamrungphan in the third singles highlights the troubling state of the national women's team, posing a pressing concern that the BA of Malaysia can no longer afford to overlook and must address promptly.
It wasn't the first time Siti Nurshuhainihad endured such a defeat at the Uber Cup.
During the Aarhus edition in 2021, fans also witnessed her being outclassed 21-8, 21-3 by China's He Bing Jiao.
Another member of the 2021 squad, K. Letshanaa, didn't fare any better.
She was thumped 21-17, 21-6 by Supanida Katethong in the first singles match.
Thailand, the runners-up in 2018, then doubled their advantage through Rawinda Prajongjai-Jongkolphan Kittitharakul as they powered past Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing 21-10, 21-14.
The defeat saw Pei Kee-Mei Xing fail to replicate their stunning win against Taiwan's world No. 24 Hsu Ya Ching-Lin Wan Ching, where they secured Malaysia's only point of the campaign to date.
Debutante Wong Ling Ching earned herself the title of 'toughest fighter' of the day as she was able to withstand Pornpawee Chochuwong for 35 minutes, the longest duration among all five matches, before conceding to a 21-11, 21-15 defeat.
Tan Zhing Yi-Chan Wen Tse hardly posed a threat in the second doubles duel, allowing Laksika Kanlaha- Pathaimas Muenwong to wrap up a 21-12, 21-8 win in just 29 minutes.
Malaysia will face Australia in their final fixture on Wednesday, where a third defeat would be deemed catastrophic.
