KUCHING: Teenage national shuttlers, 15-year-old Low Zi Yu and 18-year-old Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan, stole the spotlight after stunning world no.7 pair Rin Iwanaga–Kie Nakanishi in their fixture, even as Malaysia fell 4-1 to Japan in their final Uber Cup Group B tie in Horsens, Denmark last night.
With both teams already through to the quarter-finals, Japan underlined their title credentials by racing into an unassailable lead, but Malaysia’s young pair ensured the tie ended on a note of promise.
World No. 3 Akane Yamaguchi set the tone early, edging past Letshanaa Karupathevan 21-19, 21-17 in a competitive opener, with the Malaysian, ranked No. 34, pushing her all the way.
Japan doubled their advantage through the experienced combination of Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto, who overpowered Ong Xin Yee–Thinaah Muralitharan 21-9, 21-9.
The tie was sealed when world No. 9 Tomoka Miyazaki defeated Wong Ling Ching 21-16, 21-13, with the Malaysian battling through a back issue.
Malaysia, however, refused to go quietly.
Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah, ranked No. 143, produced the performance of the night to stun Iwanaga–Nakanishi 21-17, 12-21, 21-19, showing composure beyond their years to claim the team’s only point.
In the closing match, Goh Jin Wei edged the opening game 21-19 against Riko Gunji but was forced to retire in the second set after sustaining an abdominal injury.
Despite the defeat, Malaysia leave the group stage with renewed belief, buoyed by the emergence of Low Zi Yu and Noraqilah, a breakthrough that hints at a bright future heading into the knockout rounds.
Malaysia and Japan have both booked their quarter-final spots in the tournament after finishing as the top two teams in Group B.
