SINGAPORE - The Singapore men's badminton team lost narrowly to Thailand 2-3 in the semi-finals of the team competition at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Thursday.
Derek Wong had scored an upset win against singles defending champion Tanongsak Saemsomboonsuk from Thailand in first singles, beating him 21-18, 21-19.
However, Thai doubles pair N. Puangpuapech and Bodin Issara pulled one point back after defeating Singapore's Chayut Triyachart and Danny Bawa Chrisnanta 21-11, 22-20.
In the second singles, Singapore's Loh Kean Yew fought hard against veteran Boonsak Ponsana. Despite taking the first set 21-17, he eventually conceded 18-21, 10-21.
Nevertheless, Singapore continued to battle on, and doubles pair Terry Hee Yong Kai and Hendre Wijaya secured a victory against Thais Sudket Prapakamol and Pakkawat Vilailak 21-19, 21-16, to draw the tie level at 2-2.
In the last singles tie, Thailand's Suppanyu Avihingsanon clinched the decisive point, beating Ryan Ng 21-14, 21-11.
Singapore will have to settle for bronze, the second bronze for the night after the women conceded 0-3 to Thailand.
