Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan delivered a major victory over world champions Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee, but Malaysia’s women’s badminton team was ultimately eliminated 1-3 by South Korea in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The defeat at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium ended Malaysia’s hopes of reaching the semifinals and extending its campaign into the medal rounds.
Malaysia has not won an Asian Games women’s team medal since taking silver at the 1962 Games in Jakarta.
An Se Young Gives Korea Early Lead
Malaysia faced a difficult opening match with K. Letshanaa taking on women’s singles world No. 1 An Se Young.
The South Korean star controlled the contest and defeated Letshanaa 21-12, 21-8 to give Korea a 1-0 advantage.
- Winner: An Se Young of South Korea
- Defeated: K. Letshanaa of Malaysia
- Score: 21-12, 21-8
Pearly Tan-Thinaah Muralitharan Beat World Champions
Malaysia responded in impressive fashion through Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan.
Facing reigning world champions Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee, the Malaysians produced one of their strongest performances of the tournament to win 22-20, 21-17 and level the tie at 1-1.
- Winners: Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan of Malaysia
- Defeated: Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee of South Korea
- Score: 22-20, 21-17
Thinaah described the result as an important step as the pair works to rediscover its best form.
“It was not an easy match. We prepared well mentally and physically because we knew they were also playing very well,” Thinaah said.
She added that the victory was valuable for rebuilding confidence, although the pair still has areas to improve.
Pearly Says Malaysia Pair Embraced Underdog Role
Pearly said the pair entered the match without the pressure of being favorites after several recent tournaments in which results had fallen below expectations.
“We knew we were the underdogs. Our recent performances had not been very good, but we wanted to fight for the team and give our teammates motivation and confidence,” Pearly said.
The victory briefly shifted momentum back toward Malaysia and gave the team renewed hope of reaching the semifinals.
Kim Ga Eun Restores Korea’s Lead
South Korea regained control in the second women’s singles match when Kim Ga Eun defeated Wong Ling Ching 21-12, 21-18.
- Winner: Kim Ga Eun of South Korea
- Defeated: Wong Ling Ching of Malaysia
- Score: 21-12, 21-18
The result put Korea ahead 2-1 and left Malaysia needing to win the second doubles match to keep the tie alive.
Cheng Su Yin-Low Zi Yu Push Korea to the Limit
Malaysia’s scratch pairing of Cheng Su Yin and Low Zi Yu nearly forced the quarterfinal into a deciding fifth match with a spirited performance against world No. 6 Jeong Na Eun and Kim Hye Jeong.
Cheng and Low took the opening game 21-18 before the Korean pair responded strongly to win the second 21-11.
The deciding game developed into a tense point-for-point battle, with the Malaysians staying within touching distance until the closing stages.
Jeong and Kim eventually edged the decider 24-22 to win the match 18-21, 21-11, 24-22 and secure South Korea’s 3-1 victory.
- Winners: Jeong Na Eun/Kim Hye Jeong of South Korea
- Defeated: Cheng Su Yin/Low Zi Yu of Malaysia
- Score: 18-21, 21-11, 24-22
Malaysia’s 64-Year Wait for Women’s Team Medal Continues
The quarterfinal defeat means Malaysia’s long wait for another Asian Games women’s team medal will continue.
The country’s only medal in the event remains the silver won in Jakarta in 1962.
Although the overall campaign ended in the last eight, Pearly and Thinaah’s victory over the reigning world champions provided Malaysia with one of the standout moments of the tie.
Malaysia vs South Korea Results
- An Se Young (South Korea) beat K. Letshanaa (Malaysia) 21-12, 21-8
- Pearly Tan/Thinaah Muralitharan (Malaysia) beat Baek Ha Na/Lee So Hee (South Korea) 22-20, 21-17
- Kim Ga Eun (South Korea) beat Wong Ling Ching (Malaysia) 21-12, 21-18
- Jeong Na Eun/Kim Hye Jeong (South Korea) beat Cheng Su Yin/Low Zi Yu (Malaysia) 18-21, 21-11, 24-22
Final score: South Korea 3-1 Malaysia.
For Pearly and Thinaah, the win over Baek and Lee offers an encouraging boost as they look to rebuild confidence and momentum for the next stage of the international badminton season.
