What a glorious day. Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong stunned world champions Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia scored a sensational double at the All-England when Independent pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and national pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong qualified for the quarter-finals.
The world No.17 Kien Keat-Boon Heong produced a brilliant performance to stun reigning world champions and second seeds Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia 21-15, 15-21, 21-17 to reach the men’s doubles quarter-finals in Birmingham on Thursday.
And moments later national pair Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong follwed suit with an equally stunning victory over China's fifth seeds Chai Biao-Hong Wei 17-21, 24-22, 23-21.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong's unexpected win in 49 minutes was sweet revenge for the Malaysians, who had lost to the Indonesians once at the 2013 Australian Open
The Malaysians, sponsored by Seri Mutiara and coached by former international Lee Wan Wah, are in a very tight battle with world No. 16 V Shem-Wee Kiong for the Rio ticket.
The two pairs are separated only by about 4000 points in the world rankings - and to make the rivalry even more intense, they will face each other in the quarter-finals, thus ensuring a Malaysian pair in the semi-finals of the Superseries Premier tournament.
The double victory has also lifted the gloom over the Malaysian camp following the shocking first-round defeat of Lee Chong Wei in the men’s singles on Wednesday.
Buoyed by their performance, the former world No.1 Kien Keat-Boon Heong will now be quietly hoping to win their second All England crown having previously won it in 2007.
They were also the finalists in 2011.
