Malaysia knocked out of Sudirman Cup 2013

Malaysia's campaign in the Sudirman Cup 2013 came to an abrupt end when they lost 2-3 to Germany in the second Group match at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil on Tuesday.

It was the second loss for the national squad after losing by the same score to Group C champions Taiwan and thereby snubbing out Malaysia's hope to qualify for the quarter-finals on Thursday. In the match today, the national squad began on a wrong footing when fifth world mixed double's pair of Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying suffered a shocking loss of 17-21, 21-18 and 17-21 to Michael Fuchs and Michels Birgit.

World number one single's player Datuk Lee Chong Wei equalised for Malaysia after beating Domke Dieter 21-18 and 21-18 before the second national men's doubles of Goh V Shem and Lim Khim Wah defeated Kindervater Ingo and Schoettler Johannes 21-16 and 23-21.

Konon Olga, however, equalised for Germany 2-2 after defeating national women's single Tee Jing Yi, 21-12 and 21-14 before Michels Birgit and Golsizewski Johanna sealed the match for a semi-final slot with a 21-16, 16-21 and 21-18 win over Woon Khe Wei and Vivian Hoo Kah Mun in the women's double.

With the win, Germany joined seven other teams from Division One in the quarter-finals.

The other seven qualifying teams are China and Indonesia (Group A), Thailand and South Korea (Group B), Taiwan (Group C) as well as Denmark and Japan in Group D.

Meanwhile, national single's chief coach, Rashid Sidek was clearly disappointed with the performance of the national squad at the 13th Sudirman championship as several players expected to deliver crucial points for the country failed to do so.