Malaysia go down fighting against South Korea in quarter-finals

Posted by Lucas Liau Latest News, Top News 1:13 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s doubles shuttlers gave stronger performances yesterday but failed to keep Malaysian interest alive in the Sudirman Cup world mixed team championships.

Their challenge in Qingdao ended in a four-hour battle with South Korea, losing 2-3 in a quarter-final tie that went down to the wire.

The only consolation for Malaysia yesterday was in taking a point from the men’s doubles match in which South Korea featured the formidable Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung.

Malaysia got off to a losing start with Chin Eei Hui-Koo Kien Keat beaten 17-21, 17-21 by Ko Sung-hyun-Ha Jung-eun in just 29 minutes.

But they took a 2-1 lead with victories by Lee Chong Wei and the scratch men’s pair of Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How.

Chong Wei overcame strong resistance from Park Sung-hwan in the first game before romping home for a 21-18, 21-14 win.

Then, 2004 world junior champions Boon Heong-Thien How took the applause, scoring a surprise 21-15, 14-21, 21-14 win over the highly successful Korean pair of Yong-dae-Jae-sung.

Boon Heong was thrilled with the results.

“Thien How and I used to pair up in training and we played once in the local circuit last year. We were the underdogs and there was no pressure on us,” he said.

“We did not feel nervous although we dropped the second game.

“We started well in the rubber game and controlled well in the first three rallies and this helped us to stay focused throughout the match.

“Thien How and I still remember beating Yong-dae (in a partnership with Cho Gun-woo) in the 2004 world junior championships. But it feels special to beat him here today.”

South Korea were back in the business when Bae Youn-joo sent Tee Jing Yi packing, winning 21-11, 21-11.

It was all on Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty to win the tie for Malaysia but they went down 21-19, 16-21, 10-21 to Kim Min-jung-Ha Jung-eun in a 54-minute battle.

Eei Hui was disappointed that they could not help take Malaysia into the semi-final again after pulling off the feat two years ago.

“We beat this Korean pair in the semi-finals of the China Open in 2008. We had the confidence but we did not take our chances well today. We should have finished them off in straight games,” lamented Eei Hui.

“But this was one of my best performances with Pei Tty since she made a comeback after recovering from a knee surgery. We hope to be more consistent and improve on our physical condition to enable us to last the pace,”

South Korea will take on defending champions China in the semi-final tomorrow. China defeated India 3-1 yesterday to advance.