Chong Wei and co collapse in team final defeat to India
Monday, 9 Apr 20187:43 PM MYT
by rajes paul
Lee Chong Wei lost in straight games to K. Srikanth. - GLENN GUAN / The Star
GOLD COAST: It was a blow for Malaysia when the defending champions were dethroned by India in the mixed team final.
Malaysia fell to a 1-3 shock defeat to hand top seeds India their first-ever team gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Malaysia's collapse started when Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying went down to a shock 14-21, 21-15, 15-21 defeat to Satwik Rankireddy-Ashwini Ponnappa at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on Monday.
It was the Rio Olympic Games silver medalists' first meeting against the pair.
"We were leading in the decider but the Indians changed tactics and we could not match them. They really put us under pressure," admitted Liu Ying.
The hopes were on veteran Lee Chong Wei to revive Malaysia's hope but he crashed out 17-21, 14-21 to K. Srikanth. It was Chong Wei's first-ever defeat to Srikanth.
"I could not keep pace to Srikanth's speed today. He was too good," said the 35-year-old.
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong salvaged some pride when they won a point in the men's doubles but their victory did not come easy.
They had to dig deep to beat Satwik Rankireddy-Chirag Chandrashekhar Shetty 21-15, 22-20 in a thrilling match.
The hope was on Soniia Cheah to turn Malaysia's fortune. She did give a good fight before going down to the inevitable defeat, losing 11-21, 21-19, 9-21.
While the Indian camp erupted in joy with their historic win, the Malaysians walked out with their heads held low.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/badminton/2018/04/09/chong-wei-and-co-collapse-in-team-final-defeat-to-india/#wecA3HkTHVyAITYf.99
.jpg)
