KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian team did admirably as they qualified for the semi-finals of the Squash World Cup as Group A runners-up today.
The team of Darren Rahul Pragasam, Ong Sai Hung, Aira Azman and Yee Xin Ying lived up to their fourth seed billing as they finished their group matches with two wins and a loss in Chennai, India.
In the seven-point and best-of-five format, the young Malaysian squad were just no match for powerhouses Egypt as they fell to a 3-1 defeat in their last group match despite the best efforts of Aira.
Egypt certainly showed their class as Karim El Hammamy blanked Sai Hung 7-1, 7-3, 7-0 in the opening tie.
Aira, however, gave the team a lifeline as she played brilliantly to come from 2-1 down to beat Fayrouz Aboelkheir 5-7, 7-5, 3-7, 7-2, 7-3.
But she was unable to inspire the rest of her team as Darren went on to lose 7-1, 7-0, 7-1 to Aly Abou Eleinen in the third tie.
Xin Ying had a chance to rescue the tie for Malaysia, and she certainly gave it her best against Kenzy Ayman.
But she was unable to convert her opportunities and eventually lost 5-7, 7-4, 7-3, 2-7, 7-3 in 30 minutes.
With the defeat, Malaysia could only finish second in the group behind Egypt.
Earlier, they had looked on form as they downed Colombia and Australia with 3-1 scorelines.
The Malaysian squad will meet either India or Japan in the semi-finals.
