Disappointed Izzuddin says it’s not their day as Malaysia lose 1-3 in Thomas Cup semi-finals

CHENGDU: World No. 15 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani walked out of the court with their heads hung low while China’s camp erupted in sheer joy.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin had to win to save the tie but went down fighting 21-18, 19-21, 12-21 to world No. 11 He Jiting-Ren Xiangyu in the second doubles in 63 minutes and Malaysia lost 1-3 to mighty China in the semi-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals at the Hi-Tech Sports Centre yesterday.

Hopes were on Sze Fei-Izzuddin to level it to 2-2 and they were close to winning the second game but narrowly lost and ran out of steam in the third.

Earlier, Malaysia suffered a meltdown in the singles with the defeats of Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao while former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik fought brilliantly to give Malaysia a solitary point.

“We tried our best but it was not our day,” said Izzuddin.

“We still have a lot of room for improvement. We are disappointed that we could not get a point for the team.”

Malaysia will have to settle for bronze while China will take on 14-time winners Indonesia in the final today. Indonesia ousted Taiwan 3-0 in the other last four tie.

It all started wrongly for Malaysia yesterday when Zii Jia blew hot and cold against Shi Yuqi of China in the first singles.

The world No. 10 had hoped to give China’s ace a run for his money and he did in the opening game before running out of gas and losing 19-21, 5- 21 to world No. 2 Yuqi.

It was neck-and-neck all the way in the first game before Yuqi stayed composed to snatch the last two points at 19-19 to seal the win but he crushed the Malaysian in the second game.

“I played well in the first game but I could not follow Yuqi’s pace in the second,” lamented Zii Jia.

“I lost many points in the beginning of the second game and it was hard for me to catch up.

“I’m disappointed as I knew this was an important point for the team.

It was Yuqi’s fifth win over Zii Jia in six meetings in international competitions.

But credit to world No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik for digging deep into their reserves to upstage world No. 1 Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 in a thrilling 55-minute match.

Said captain Wooi Yik: “It was a tough game. We focused on the service and receive situations and gained confidence when our game plan worked.”

“In the third game, we were leading and Weikeng-Wang Chang caught up but we kept communicating well and this helped us win.

“We are very happy to get the point for the team.’’

It was only the pair’s second win in eight meetings with Weikeng-Wang Chang.

Next up was world No. 37 Leong Jun Hao but after a fighting display in the opening game, he went down 17-21, 10-21 to world No. 6 Li Shifeng who made it 2-1 for China in style.

Jun Hao started well and led 8-3 but could not maintain his performance and lost the first game.

Just like Yuqi, Shifeng was on another level in the second game and led 11-0 before going on to claim the win in 46 minutes.

“I found it hard to get past Shifeng’s defence today,” said a dejected Jun Hao.

“I tried to be more aggressive in the second game but he was braver with his shots.

“I tried to chase the game after I was left behind but it was too late.”

Young debutant Justin Hoh did not get a chance to play against Lu Guangzu as the tie was already decided but what an experience it has been for him.

Malaysia can expect the 20-year-old to return wiser and with more experience at the next edition in Denmark in 2026.