MANILA: The men’s badminton squad failed to end its 14-year gold medal drought today, going down 3-1 to Indonesia in the SEA Games final at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
First singles Lee Zii Jia got off to a poor start as he lost to world No 6 Jonathan Christie in straight games 21-9, 21-17.
Doubles pair of Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik gave the team some hope by beating Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto 21-17, 21-13 but the Indonesians quickly took charge after that.
Second singles Soong Joo Ven fought hard but eventually fell short against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, losing 13-21, 21-15, 21-18.
The pair of Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin were then under pressure to level the tie but went down tamely – 21-16, 21-19 to Wahyu Nayaka-Ade Yusuf Santoso.
Malaysia last won the title in 2005, also in Manila.
Two years ago in KL, they went down to the same opponents 3-0 in the final.