KUALA LUMPUR: It was a baptism of fire for the inexperienced Malaysian Uber Cup squad in Chengdu, China, today.
The young team, without the likes of Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, lost 4-1 to Taiwan in their opening Group B tie at the Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei fought tooth and nail, but it was not enough to overcome former world No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying in the first singles.
The Taiwan ace, reportedly struggling with a knee injury, still managed to subdue Jin Wei in straight games, 21-19, 22-20.
Malaysia levelled the score through Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing, who upset world No. 24 Hsu Ya Ching-Lin Wan Ching 21-19, 21-17.
However, it was all downhill after that. In the second singles, K. Letshanaa showed promise but couldn't follow through as she succumbed 13-21, 21-17, 21-16 to world No. 27 Hsu Wen Chi.
In the second doubles, Ho Lo Ee-Tan Zhing Yi lost 21-17, 21-11 to Hu Ling Fang-Teng Chun Hsun. In the third singles, which no longer had any bearing on the tie, Wong Ling Ching lost 21-17, 22-20 to Sung Shuo Yun.
Malaysia will play Thailand tomorrow before they face Australia in their final group tie on Wednesday.