KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian girls' team had to settle for the bronze medal in the World Junior Squash Championships after losing 2-0 to second seeds the United States in the semi-finals in Houston, Texas, yesterday (July 22).
The hosts will face defending champions Egypt, who beat Canada 2-0, in the final.
Malaysia's Asian Under-19 champion U. Thanussa went down 11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 11-4 to American Caroline Fouts. Doyce Lee lost 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 to Samantha Jaffe.
In the boys' competition, second seeds Malaysia subdued Australia 2-0 to face Canada next in the ninth to 10 classification match.
Harith Danial Jefri, who won bronze in the individual event, defeated Daniel Marsh 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6 while Altamis Azhar beat Haider Naqvi 11-8, 11-9, 11-2.
Team manager Major (rtd) S. Maniam said: "We finished the event with two bronze, one bronze by Harith in individual boys', and the other bronze in girls' team event.
"Overall, slightly better than what I have predicted. We are happy but still a lot of work needs to be done."