FOR the first time since the Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship (BAMTC) was introduced in 2017, Malaysia has failed to advance past the group stage and qualify for the quarter-finals.
Their campaign in the 2025 edition came to an end today as they suffered a 2-3 defeat to arch-rivals Indonesia during the tournament held in Conson Gymnasium, Qingdao, China.
Malaysia fell behind early when seasoned mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie squandered a first-game win of 21-17, eventually losing 13-21, 18-21 to Dejan Fernandisyah-Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti.
Indonesia then extended their lead as women’s singles shuttler Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi triumphed over K. Letshanaa, 21-12, 21-19.
National men’s singles player and world number 28, Leong Jun Hao, offered a brief moment of hope for Malaysia as he bounced back from a game down to see off world number 63 Yohanes Saut Marcellyno, 11-21, 22-20, 21-12.
However, the national women’s doubles pair of Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing failed to keep Malaysia’s hopes alive as they succumbed 21-18, 7-21, 17-21 to Meilysa Trias Puspitasari-Rachel Allessya Rose, which handed Indonesia the crucial winning point.
Indonesia Masters 2025 men’s doubles champions and world number 12 pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun prevented a heavier defeat for Malaysia, edging past world number 16 duo Muhammad Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin 25-27, 21-17, 23-21 in the final game.
With this result, Indonesia, who had swept Hong Kong 5-0 in their opening Group B match on Tuesday, advanced to the quarter-finals as group champions, followed by Hong Kong, while Malaysia finished bottom without a single victory.
Yesterday, Malaysia began their Group B campaign on the wrong foot by losing 2-3 to Hong Kong.
Only the top two teams from each group progress to the last eight.
