Hosts Malaysia finished sixth in the mixed team event in the World Junior Championships after going down to last year’s champions South Korea in the playoff match at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium in Alor Star on Friday.
The Koreans took their first point through mixed doubles pair of Kim Jae Hwan-Kong Hee Yong who beat Sim Guo Zheng-Eng Pai Yee 21-7, 21-13 in 19 minutes.
Lee Jun Su gave South Korea a 2-0 lead when he staved off Tan Jia Wei’s determined challenge in the boys’ singles to win 21-11, 16-21, 21-16 after a 47 minute battle.
South Korea’s winning point came through the boys’ doubles when Park Kyung Hyung-Choi Jong Woo recovered from a set down to secure a 17-21, 12-14, 21-14 win.
Despite the defeat, Malaysia’s coach Zhou Ker Jian was pleased that the team was able to achieve its initial target of finishing in the top six.
He could not say much on Malaysia’s hopes in the individual events but hopes Cheam June Wei will at last reach the quarter-finals in the boys’ singles.
Results (5th-6th playoff)
South Korea 3 Malaysia 0
Korean players first
Mixed doubles
Kim Jae Hwan-Kong Hee Yong beat Sim Guo Zheng-Eng Pui Yee 21-7, 21-8
Boys’ singles
Lee Jun Su beat Tan Jia Wei 21-11, 16-21, 21-16
Boys’ doubles
Park Kyung Hyung-Choi Jong Woo beat Chua Khek Wei-Ng Di Hua 17-21, 21-14, 21-14
