KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia came close on Saturday to winning their first-ever AMF World Cup women’s title in Hermosillo, Mexico.
In her fourth attempt in the tournament, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman failed to conquer the lanes in the final when she lost 236-191 to Krizziah Lyn Tabora of the Philippines to take second spot.
Earlier, Siti Safiyah, the fourth seed, upset top seed Jenny Wagner of Sweden 227-197 to earn a crack at the title.
However, it was the 27-year-old’s best effort in the tournament. She took 10th spot in 2006 (Caracas), followed by third in 2009 (Melaka) and eighth in 2015 (Las Vegas).
Siti Safiyah is the third Malaysian female bowler to finish second in the World Cup after Shalin Zulkifli (1996 — Belfast) and Sin Li Jane (2014—Wroclaw).
A disappointed Siti Safiyah admitted that it was just not her day on the lanes.
“I had some good shots in the final but I could not convert when it mattered most,” said Siti Safiyah.
"Obviously, I really wanted to become the first Malaysian female bowler to win the tournament, but overall I am satisfied with my performance.
"I did my best throughout the week and managed to make it all the way to the final.
“It has been a good experience here. I will take the positives with me for the World Championships in Las Vegas on Nov 24-Dec 4.”
In the men’s section, Ahmad Muaz Fishol produced his best performance of the season by finishing joint-third with Venezuela’s Ildemaro Ruiz.
He lost 266-176 to eventual champion Jakob Butturff of the United States in the semi-finals.