Malaysia dropped the first point when K Letshanaa lost 13-21, 21-18, 13-21 to Putri Kusuma Wardani in the opening singles match.

Any hopes of a fightback through top women’s pair Pearly Tan and M Thinaah then fizzled out when they were upstaged 14-21, 21-18, 15-21 by world No 30 Lanny Tria Mayasari and Ribka Sugiarto in just under an hour.

Singles shuttler Wong Ling Ching then gave Malaysia a glimmer of hope by winning her first game before fading away to go down 21-14, 15-21, 16-21 to Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo.

Distraught team captain Thinaah blamed herself for an uninspiring performance.

“I am quite disappointed with myself in today’s game … we were able to fight back but they (Lanny Tria-Ribka) proved to be more consistent with their shots,” Thinaah said.

Keeping her chin up was partner Pearly, who said it’s back to the drawing board with head coach Rexy Mainaky and his assistants to diversify their game pattern.

Rexy, when asked if the women’s squad still have a chance to play in the Uber Cup in April, said they are still trying to figure it out.

“(Maybe) we have a chance by way of world ranking,” he said.