V Shem and Wee Kiong couldn't repeat their valiant feat against Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong in the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals. - AFP
DONGGUAN: Malaysia faltered when it mattered.
Four days ago, Malaysia got their Sudirman Cup campaign off to a great start – edging South Korea 3-2.
The two crossed swords again in the quarter-finals. This time, the Malaysian shuttlers failed to lift their game and crashed out 3-1.
Men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong were sensational last Sunday when they gave Malaysia the first point by defeating world No. 1 Lee Yong-dae-Yoo Yeon-seong. On Thursday, though, they were a big letdown.
The world No. 29 were a bundle of nerves as they blew numerous advantages to lose 18-21, 16-21 to Yong-dae-Yeon-seong.
The Malaysian pair let slip a 15-13 advantage in the first game as the Koreans came from behind to romp home.
It was the same in the second game. The Malaysians had an 11-8 lead but mistakes at the net by Wee Kiong and V Shem allowed Yong-dae-Yeon-seong to make amends for Sunday’s reverse.
V Shem-Wee Kiong’s defeat put the team under immense pressure.
Women’s singles shuttler Tee Jing Yi tried to level the tie for Malaysia but world No. 7 Sung Ji-hyun was simply a class above, winning 21-17, 21-12 to give the Koreans a 2-0 lead.
Team captain Lee Chong Wei scored a point for Malaysia when he outplayed world No. 5 Son Wan-ho 21-17, 21-12.
But his efforts came to nought when women’s doubles pair Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei lost their third match of the week – going down 23-21, 16-21, 11-21 to Chang Ye-na-Jung Kyung-eun as Korea sealed a 3-1 victory.
South Korea will meet either Japan or Denmark in the semi-finals.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director Morten Frost feels that the team deserved credit for a fighting performance.
“I think we had a very good match against the Koreans. The whole team fought hard and they definitely did Malaysia proud,” said Frost.
“The whole team have been working well, and it’s been a fantastic performance, not just from those on court but from those who didn’t play as well.
“We gave the Koreans a run for their money. We were just unlucky to have drawn them in the last eight.”
