RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesian young women’s singles player Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari offered a heartfelt apology to supporters and teammates after failing to deliver a point in the second Group X match of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) 2026 against Japan at Qingdao Conson Gymnasium, China, on Thursday, February 5.

“I don’t have much to say. I sincerely apologize to all the supporters and the team,” Mutiara said in an official statement following the match, as quoted by Antara.

Competing as Indonesia’s second women’s singles, the 19-year-old was unable to overcome Hina Akechi, losing in straight games 2-21, 9-21. The defeat handed Japan a 2-1 lead over Indonesia.

Mutiara admitted her performance fell short of expectations despite solid preparation. “My game was far from what I had hoped or imagined. Preparation was actually good. I studied my opponent and had faced her before. But the result was far below my expectations and everyone else’s,” she reflected.

She acknowledged that Akechi’s speed proved decisive, leaving her under pressure from the start. “Hina Akechi’s game was very fast. From the beginning I was trailing, and it was difficult to get out of that pressure,” she explained.

The match unfolded with Mutiara struggling to find rhythm. She fell behind early in the opening game, scoring only after the gap had widened significantly. Akechi closed the first game 21-2 and maintained dominance in the second, sealing victory 21-9 in just 24 minutes.

Earlier, Indonesia had leveled the tie when women’s doubles pair Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum defeated Arisa Igarashi/Chiharu Shida 21-12, 18-21, 23-21, after Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan lost the opening singles to Riko Gunji 14-21, 16-21.

Indonesia now turns its hopes to the doubles duo Amallia Cahaya Pratiwi/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, who will face Kie Nakanishi/Miyu Takahashi. Should they win, the tie will be decided in the final singles match between Ni Kadek Dhinda Ayu Pratiwi and Yuzono Watanabe. ***