AFTER the disappointment of Monday's whitewash by Finland in their opening match in the Women's World Squash Championships the Irish team recovered yesterday to beat the host nation Malaysia.

Aisling McArdle and Louise Finnegan had comfortable victories against the Malaysian numbers one and two Leong Siu Lynn and Kuan Choy Lin while Olivia French, the number three on the Irish team, fought back after almost going 2-0 down against Carrie Yeo to win her tie by three games to one.

Madeline Perry, the Irish Junior National Champion, was due to play in yesterday's match but was forced to withdraw after complaining of a sore throat and headache.

The result against Malaysia is likely to guarantee a third place finish in Pool C for the Irish, behind Canada and Finland - that would move them in to the 9th-16th place play-offs after today's final pool match against the ninth seeded Canadians.