The national women’s badminton team defied the odds to qualify for the Uber Cup after overcoming Taiwan 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Asia Team Championships in Manila today.

Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah were the toast when the World No 41, who only paired up in November, clinched the winning point following an 18-21, 21-17, 21-18 win over Taiwan’s Cheng Chi Ya-Liu Chiao Yin in 61 minutes.

Earlier, Malaysia won both singles matches through Soniia Cheah and former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei.

Taiwan earned their sole point through Hsu Ya Ching-Hu Ling Fang when they defeated Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean 21-14, 21-14.

In semi-finals, Malaysia face reigning Uber Cup champions Japan while Thailand take on South Korea tomorrow.

The Uber Cup will be held in Aarhus, Denmark on May 16-24.

Results

Q-Finals

Malaysia 3 Taiwan 1 (Soniia Cheah bt Pai Yu Po 21-14, 17-21, 22-20; Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean lost to Hsu Ya Ching-Hu Ling Fang 14-21, 14-21; Goh Jin Wei bt Chiang Ying Li 21-23, 21-8, 21-12; Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah bt Cheng Chi Ya-Liu Chiao Yun 18-21, 21-17, 21-18), Japan 3 Indonesia 0, Thailand 3 Kazakhstan 0, Korea 3 Singapore 0.