Malaysia bows out of Asiad badminton despite Jun Hao win
Malaysia’s men’s badminton team was eliminated in the quarter‑finals of the Aichi‑Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after a 2‑3 loss to Indonesia at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Saturday.
Source: The Sun Malaysia · September 22, 2026 at 8:32 PM · AI-assisted report
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ICHINOMIYA CITY MUNICIPAL GYMNASIUM, 23 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Malaysia’s men’s badminton team was eliminated in the quarter‑finals of the Aichi‑Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after a 2‑3 loss to Indonesia at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Saturday.
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The defeat ended Malaysia’s bid to reach the semifinals and to break a men’s team medal drought that has persisted since the bronze medal win at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games. Indonesia’s 3‑2 victory also preserved its own unbeaten run in the competition.
Leong Jun Hao, world number 33, opened the tie with a three‑set win over world number one Jonatan Christie, 20‑22, 21‑12, 21‑17, giving Malaysia an early lead. “In the early part of the game, I felt my rhythm wasn’t quite working, and when I fell far behind, I tried to chase back until I managed to secure game points in the first set.
Even though I lost the first set, I feel that helped me overcome the pressure and know what to do in the second set. After finding my own rhythm, my game became much smoother,” Jun Hao said after the match.
Indonesia responded in the second match when the men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Mohd Rumsani fell to Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, 15‑21, 21‑19, 10‑21, leveling the tie. The third match saw Alwi Farhan defeat Justin Hoh 21‑19, 21‑19, giving Indonesia a 2‑1 advantage.
Malaysia rallied in the fourth match as Aaron Chia and Tee Kai Wun overcame Leo Rolly Carnado and Daniel Marthin 17‑21, 21‑16, 21‑13, forcing a deciding fifth rubber. In the final match, Eogene Ewe was beaten 11‑21, 11‑21 by Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, sealing Indonesia’s 3‑2 win.
The loss means Malaysia remains without a men’s team gold at the Asian Games, having previously secured two silvers in Bangkok 1966 and Beijing 1990, and a bronze in Incheon 2014. No further comments from the Malaysian Badminton Association were reported.
Related: Leong Jun Hao · Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium