Hopes of badminton gold is dashed
Published on: Saturday, July 31, 2021
By: Bernama
Aaron (right) and Wooi Yik in action during the semi-final match.
TOKYO: Malaysia’s dream of a gold medal in badminton was dashed after national men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik fell to the might of China’s Li Jun Hui-Liu Yu Chen in the semi-finals of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday.Having disposed of Indonesian world number one Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in the last eight Thursday, the Malaysians failed to keep the momentum going and fell 22-24, 13-21 to Jun Hui-Yu Chen in 38 minutes at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza here.
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But the Chinese pair did not have it easy in the first game as the Malaysians led for the most part before finding themselves level on scores for four points from 19-19.
With the score tied at 22-22, errors by world number nine Aaron-Wooi Yik allowed Jun Hui-Yu Chen to romp home 24-22.
In the second game, the third-seeded Chinese pair stepped up a gear with a more aggressive style of play to force the Malaysian pair into making a series of mistakes for easy points.
Trailing 7-11 at one point, Aaron-Wooi Yik tried to find a way back but, in the end, the Chinese pair were unshakeable as they closed out the game, and the match, at 21-13.
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On Thursday, Aaron-Wooi Yik had stunned Marcus-Kevin, gold medallist at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, 21-14, 21-17 in the quarter-finals.
However, Aaron-Wooi Yik can still deliver Malaysia’s first medal at the Tokyo Olympics when they meet Indonesia’s Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan in the bronze-medal playoff today (Saturday).
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Second seeds and 2019 world champions Ahsan-Setiawan were outclassed 11-21, 10-21 by Taiwan’s world number three pair of Lee Yang-Wang Chi-Lin in the other semi-final.
Meanwhile, national badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei believes that men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia’s quest for Olympic glory is not over, just “delayed” following the latter’s defeat at the hands of China’s Chen Long in the quarter-finals of the Tokyo Games.
The three-time Olympic silver medallist is also of the opinion that in terms of power, speed and technique, Zii Jia was way better than Chen Long during their clash on Thursday.
“However, nervousness during crucial moments may be the reason why the reigning All England champion lost 21-8, 19-21, 5-21 to 2016 Rio Olympic gold medallist Chen Long.
“Lee Zii Jia, don’t be too disappointed. It was a really good performance. The whole of Malaysia knows you tried your very best. I am proud of you. Malaysians are proud of you.
“Armed with experience, Chen Long’s a tough nut to crack for you. Chen Long’s not the defending champion for nothing. He may look innocent but he’s very intelligent in working out his opponent’s tactics.
“It’s his first Olympics, who won’t be nervous? My first time in the Olympics (2004 Athens) wasn’t smooth sailing either. What’s important is to keep your chin up and move forward. The next Olympics is just three years away. Your victory isn’t over, just ‘delayed’,” he posted on his Facebook page.
Chong Wei was denied the Olympic gold medal three times by two China shuttlers – twice by his nemesis Lin Dan in the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London editions as well as by Chen Long in 2016 Rio.
The former world number one, who is also the Malaysian chef de mission for the Tokyo Olympics, also jokingly suggested that perhaps Zii Jia should find a place to train in Melaka.
“Heard that training there will bring you the Olympic gold,” he said, in reference to weightlifting sensation Hidilyn Diaz, who bagged the Philippines’ first-ever Olympic gold medal a few days ago after training in Melaka for the past year.
Meanwhile, former national doubles ace Koo Kien Keat, through his social media posting, also encouraged Zii Jia to continue to shine at the 2024 Paris Olympics.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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