The women’s team saw their podium hopes come to an end after falling 1-3 to defending champions Korea in Ichinomiya today.

Malaysia’s challenge got off to a difficult start in the opening women’s singles match, with K. Letshanaa going down to top seed An Se Young 12-21, 8-21.

With Korea holding a 1-0 lead, World No. 5 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah levelled the tie and secured Malaysia’s first victory point after upsetting World No. 2 Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee 22-20, 21-17.

Wong Ling Ching was unable to overcome World No. 12 Kim Ga Eun, despite pushing the second game to 18-18 before the Korean sealed the match in straight games.

Korea regained the 2-1 advantage before Cheng Su Yin-Low Zi Yu fell just short of levelling the tie after a gruelling three-game battle against Jeong Na Eun-Kim Hye Jeong, 21-18, 11-21, 22-24.

Malaysia’s last women’s team medal at the Asian Games came at the 1962 Jakarta edition, where the team won silver.

The women’s squad will now turn their attention to the individual events, which will take place from 25 to 29 September.