V Shem-Wee Kiong fail to make their efforts count in the dying minutes

AGAIN, it was the last few points.

It was a match where Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong looked capable of winning but they collapsed in the crucial stages by losing 20-22, 19-21 to Indonesia's Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in a 34-minute closely-contested quarter-final battle at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno yesterday.

The world No. 11 V Shem-Wee Kiong did well to save two match points in the opening game but the tops seeds, spurred on by their home fans, fought back to tip the game to their favour.

It was the same script in the second game as V Shem-Wee Kiong matched their opponents from the start and in every aspect of the game until they were levelled at 19-19 but it was the Indonesians, who stepped up when it mattered most.

With the elimination of V Shem-Wee Kiong, Malaysia ended their campaign without a medal to show for the first time since the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. Earlier, teammates Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi were sent packing 17-21, 13-21 by Indonesians Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto.

While V Shem shied away from the media, Wee Kiong put on a brave front to apologise for letting the nation down. “I'm sorry that V Shem and I have failed to fulfil our promise to deliver a medal,” said a dejected Wee Kiong.

“I also want to thank those who stood by us, we really appreciate it. To those who criticised us, we heard you.

“We’ll learn, pick ourselves up and come back stronger.

“As for today’s match, I think we matched them throughout the game. It was so tight but men's doubles matches are always close.

“We have to be aggressive all the time and try to get a big lead early in the game. But, of course, it's never easy.”

Yew Sin admitted they performed below par yesterday but said they were not intimidated by the crowd in the stadium.

“We were not affected at all by the home fans.

“We played at the Indonesian Open last month and defeated an Indonesian pair (Wahyu Nayaka Arya Pangkaryanira-Ade Yusuf Santoso in the first round),” said Yew Sin.

“We lost today because our game plan didn't work and we allowed our opponents to dictate the play.”

We’ll learn, pick ourselves up and come back stronger. Tan Wee Kiong