Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: Malaysia’s women’s badminton team made a confident start to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, defeating Hong Kong 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
The victory was secured through wins by K. Letshanaa, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah and Wong Ling Ching, allowing Malaysia to wrap up the tie without needing the final two matches.
K. Letshanaa Gives Malaysia Perfect Start
World No. 28 K. Letshanaa opened the tie with a composed performance against Hong Kong’s world No. 68 Happy Lo Sin Yan.
The Malaysian controlled the first game and maintained her advantage in the second to win 21-9, 21-16 in 34 minutes.
- Winner: K. Letshanaa of Malaysia
- Defeated: Happy Lo Sin Yan of Hong Kong
- Score: 21-9, 21-16
- Duration: 34 minutes
Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah Double Malaysia’s Lead
World No. 5 Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah then delivered Malaysia’s second point with a straight-games victory over Hong Kong’s Yeung Nga Ting and Yeung Pui Lam.
The Malaysians dominated the opening game 21-11 before facing stronger resistance in the second.
Yeung and Yeung pushed Pearly and Thinaah late in the game, but the Malaysian pair stayed composed and closed out the match 21-17.
- Winners: Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah of Malaysia
- Defeated: Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam of Hong Kong
- Score: 21-11, 21-17
- Duration: 39 minutes
Wong Ling Ching Seals 3-0 Victory
Wong Ling Ching completed the sweep in the second women’s singles match.
The world No. 38 Malaysian defeated Hong Kong’s world No. 100 Liang Ka Wing 21-17, 21-16 in 34 minutes to send Malaysia into the last eight.
- Winner: Wong Ling Ching of Malaysia
- Defeated: Liang Ka Wing of Hong Kong
- Score: 21-17, 21-16
- Duration: 34 minutes
Kenneth Jonassen Pleased With Malaysia’s Discipline
National singles head coach Kenneth Jonassen praised the players for handling the pressure of entering the tie as favorites.
“It was a very good and solid performance from the team today. It is never easy when you are the favored team, but the players showed a good balance of focus, discipline and determination.”
Malaysia is competing in the Asian Games women’s team event for the first time since the 2014 Incheon Games, with half of the current 10-player squad aged 21 or younger.
Malaysia Rested Noraqilah Maisarah
Malaysia also managed the tie without using every player in the lineup.
Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan was rested as she continues to recover from an ankle injury.
Low Zi Yu had originally been scheduled to partner Cheng Su Yin in the second doubles match, while debutant Oo Shan Zi was set to face Saloni Samirbhai Mehta in the third singles match.
Neither match was required after Malaysia secured the tie through the opening three contests.
South Korea Next in Asian Games Quarterfinal
The difficulty level will rise sharply in the quarterfinals, where Malaysia will face third seed South Korea.
The Korean team received a first-round bye and enters the last eight with a squad led by world No. 1 An Se Young.
Malaysia will therefore need another strong performance across both singles and doubles if it is to move into the medal rounds.
2026 Asian Games Malaysia vs Hong Kong Results
- K. Letshanaa (Malaysia) beat Happy Lo Sin Yan (Hong Kong) 21-9, 21-16
- Pearly Tan/M. Thinaah (Malaysia) beat Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam (Hong Kong) 21-11, 21-17
- Wong Ling Ching (Malaysia) beat Liang Ka Wing (Hong Kong) 21-17, 21-16
Final score: Malaysia 3-0 Hong Kong.
Malaysia’s men’s badminton team will begin its own Asian Games campaign against Mongolia in the opening round.
