Step on it, boys
Yew Sin-Ee Yi stun Japanese third seeds to enter last eight
DO not lose hope on badminton inton just yet.
That was the message from m national men's doubles pair s
Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and d
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong g as the last Malaysian surv vivors in the individual competipeti tion at the Asian Games.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi and V Shem-Wee Kiong are just one step away from securing bronze after storming into the quarter-finals at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno yesterday.
The second ranked pair Yew Sin-Ee Yi stole the limelight by turning on the power to knock out world No. 3 Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda of Japan with a 21-14, 21-17 win for the biggest upset of the day.
V Shem-Wee Kiong took only 20 minutes to blow away Nepal’s Bikash Shrestha-Nabin Shrestha with a 21-9, 21-12 win.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi face Indonesia’s Fajar AlfianMuhammad Rian Ardianto while V ShemWee Kiong may take on top seeds and home favourites Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia.
Both pairs have vowed to go the distance to prevent Malaysia from ending their campaign in Jakarta empty-handed, and possibly try and meet the two-medal target set by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
The surprise quarter-finallists Yew Sin and Ee Yi were jumping for joy after sending the Nanjing World Championships silver medallists packing.
“It’s just unbelievable,” said Ee Yi.
“I’m sure no one saw the victory coming but we're not surprised by it. We had faith in ourselves, We’ve the quality to take on the best pairs in the world and we proved that today.”
The Malaysians have a slight edge over Fajar-Muhammad Rian, having beaten them in their sole meeting in the first round of AllEngland last March.
But Yew Sin does not want to take their opponents lightly.
“Beating the favourites doesn't mean that we’ve cleared our toughest hurdle yet. The next match will be tough too, but we're ready for it.
“We came to our first Asian Games with a medal target and we’re just one step away from doing it. We'll keep the momentum going.”
Wee Kiong-V Shem said they would go all out to retain the bronze they bagged in Incheon, South Korea, four years ago.
"We're just one step away to assure us the podium, so the target is within reach," said Wee Kiong.
"We're the last two pairs left, we will try our utmost best to keep Malaysia’s flag flying high and do the nation proud.”