The painful truth
Badminton won’t meet the two-medal target
MALAYSIA can forget about meeting the twomedal target set for badminton at the Indonesian Asian Games.
Medal hopes in the mixed doubles were shattered following the exits of the nation’s best prospects – world No. 6 Goh SoonHuat Shevon Lai Jemie and world No. 9 Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Ying – in the second round at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno yesterday.
It was also all over for World Championships bronze medallist Liew Daren and Chow Mei KuanLee Meng Yean in the men’s singles and women’s doubles respectively. Daren lost 821, 2220, 1421 to Heo Kwanghee of South Korea while Mei KuanMeng Yean went down fighting 1721, 2116, 1921 to India’s Ashwini PonnappaN. Sikki Reddy.
The biggest setback was in the mixed doubles when the challenge of Soon HuatShevon and Peng SoonLiu Ying was wiped out by Hong Kong opponents.
Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Peng SoonLiu Ying saved five match points before losing 1721, 2118, 2628 to 2017 Glasgow World Championships bronze medallists Reginald Lee Chun HeiChau Hoi Wah in a 73minute thriller.
The Malaysians held the upper hand after storming to a comfortable 93 lead in the decider but unfortunately, they failed to build on it.
Chun HeiHoi Wah raced to the first match point at 2018 and both pairs locked horns before the Hong Kong pair pulled away with the last three points to have the last laugh.
Peng Soon was bitterly disappointed. “The outcome could have been different if only we had cut down on simple mistakes. We gave away too many points,” lamented Peng Soon.
Singapore Open champions Soon HuatShevon tried to make up for their teammates’ defeat but they too fumbled with a 2114, 1121, 2022 defeat to the reigning World Championships silver medallists Tang Chun ManTse Ying Suet yesterday.
Soon HuatShevon sparked a comeback in the decider when they bounced from 1317 to hold match point at 2019, but their hopes were dashed when Ying Suet’s lucky netshots trickled over the net twice to deny the Malaysians a win.
“We did everything right and matched them in every area but there was nothing we could do when our opponent got lucky with the netshot twice during the crucial stages,” said Shevon.
“We’re disappointed to miss our semifinal target, but I thought we did our best.”
Mixed doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang said he could not fault his players as they put up a good fight.
“ShevonSoon Huat gave absolutely everything, but lost to luckier opponents while Peng SoonLiu Ying fought back bravely in the decider.
“They just lacked the finishing touches,” said Cheh Chang.
Malaysia are now left with Lee Zii Jia in the men’s singles and two pairs – Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong, Ong Yew SinTeo Ee Yi in the men’s doubles.
Zii Jia, who easily powered past Pakistan’s Azeem Sarwar 2113, 2110 yesterday, faces a daunting task against world No. 4 Son Wanho of South Korea next.
V ShemWee Kiong face Nepal’s Bikash ShresthaNabin Shrestha while Yew SinEe Yi meet third seeds Takeshi KamuraKeigo Sonoda of Japan next for places in the quarterfinals.