There was no joy for Malaysia at the Axiata Arena when the hosts lost the men’s and women’s team finals to Indonesia and Thailand respectively.
In the men’s final defending champions were too strong for Malaysia. Christie Jonatan started the Indonesian rout in the first singles when he packed off Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin in straight games 21-18, 21-17.
Much was expected from men’s doubles pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi but the country’s number two pair lost the three game battle to Indonesia’s Alfian Fajar-Ardianto Mohamad Rian. The Indonesians prevailed 21-12, 16-21, 21-14 in 55 minutes.
Mustofa Ihsan Maulana sealed the gold for Indonesia when he nicked Lee Zii Jia 21-11, 21-11. in 26 minutes.
The women’s final was no better for Malaysia with Soniia Cheah falling in straight games 12-21, 10-21 in 37 minutes to Busanan Ongbamrungphan.
The Thais were 2-0 up after winning the women’s first doubles. Puttita Supajirakul-Sapsiree Taerattanachai, however, needed 75 minutes to subdue Malaysia’s number one pair Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei 9-21, 21-11, 21-18.
Goh Jin Wei, playing as second singles gave Malaysia some hope when she got the better of Nitchaon Jindapol in a closely fought three games 22-20, 23-25, 22-20 in a marathon 79 minutes.
However, the Thais stopped any fightback by Malaysia through their second doubles Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai who defeated Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Kean 21-12, 16-21, 21-18.
RESULTS (TEAM FINALS)
MEN
Indonesia beat Malaysia 3-0
(Indonesia first)
MS1: Christie Jonatan beat Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin 21-18, 21-17
MD1: Alfian Fajar-Ardianto Muhamad Rian beat Ong Yew Sin-Teo Eei Yi 21-12, 16-21, 21-14
MS2: Mustofa Ihsan Maulana beat Lee Zii Jia 21-11, 21-11
WOMEN
Thailand beat Malaysia 3-1
(Thailand first)
WS1: Busanan Ongbamrungphan beat Sonii Cheah 21-12, 21-10
WD1: Puttita Supajarikul-Sapsire Taerattanachai beat Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei 9-21, 21-11, 21-18
WS2: Nitchaon Jindapol lost to Goh Jin Wei 20-22, 25-23, 20-22
WD2: Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Ranwinda Prajongjai beat Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Kean 21-12, 16-21, 21-18
