Kuala Lumpur, May 12: The expectations were high, the 11,000 fans had thronged the Putra Stadium to see some positive stuff from the much talked about Malaysian shuttlers.

But at the end of the day, it was the South Koreans who shamed Malaysia with a 3-2 win - a repeat of the 1996 win in Hongkong.

The tell-tale signs of the defeat loomed from the very first match when Wong Choong Hann, despite winning his match was stretched by an injured Korean Shon Seung-mo, who is carrying a knee injury.

Choong Hann scraped through to win 15-8, 5-15, 15-13.

The win did not dent the hopes of the Korean shuttlers when world No. 2 pair Ha Tae-kwon-Kim Dong-moon, after a shaky start whipped Malaysia's Lee Wan Wah-Choong Tan Fook 15-13, 15-6.

Then Ong Ewe Hock cracked under pressure and lost to a 43rd ranked Lee Hyun-ll.

Ewe Hock lost the first game 12-15 won the second easily and led 11-6 in the third match. But Hyun ll steadied himself and drew level at 11-11 and shot home to win 15-11.

This turned the tide in Korea's favour. With the support coming from their team members only unlike the Malaysians who had home support, Korea's second doubles pair Lee Dong-soo-Yoo Yong-sung played like men possessed to sweep aside Cheah Soon Kit-Chan Chong Ming.

So powerful were they that a strong smash from Dong-soo snapped the racquet strings of Soon Kit with the shuttle stuck on it.

The Korean pair won 15-11, 15-8. However, it must be noted that the Malaysian scratch pair, especially Chan Chong Ming played with strong conviction unlike the rest of the team members.

Roslin Hashim won the last game 15-13, 15-8, beating Ahn Jae-chang but it was already too late for Malaysia.