Malaysia's badminton men's team exited the Asian Games after a nail-biting 2-3 defeat to Indonesia in their quarter-final encounter, despite a stunning opening victory from underdog Leong Jun Hao.
Competing at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan, the world number 33 Jun Hao delivered a remarkable comeback performance against Indonesia's top seed Jonatan Christie. After dropping the opening game 20-22, Jun Hao rallied superbly to claim the next two games 21-12 and 21-17 in a 79-minute thriller, giving Malaysia an early 1-0 advantage.
However, the momentum shifted when Malaysia's first doubles pairing of Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were unable to capitalize on Jun Hao's heroics. They went down 15-21, 21-19, 10-21 to Fajar Alfian and Shohibul Fikri in 50 minutes, allowing Indonesia to draw level.
Indonesia seized control in the second singles rubber as Alwi Farhan overcame Justin Hoh 21-19, 21-19 in another 50-minute contest to put the defending champions ahead 2-1.
Facing elimination, Malaysia's second doubles duo Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun produced a crucial victory, defeating Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin 17-21, 21-16, 21-13 in 53 minutes to force a deciding fifth match.
In the climactic rubber, Indonesia's Zaki Ubaidillah sealed his nation's semi-final berth with a dominant display against Eogene Ewe, cruising to a 21-11, 21-11 triumph in just 35 minutes.
Earlier in the day, Malaysia's women's squad also bowed out at the quarter-final stage, falling 3-1 to defending champions South Korea.
Malaysian hopes for badminton medals now rest on the individual events scheduled to commence Friday, featuring men's, women's and mixed doubles competitions. The nation's last podium finish in Asian Games badminton came in 2014 at Incheon, South Korea, where they claimed bronze.
