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Saturday May 17, 2008

Malaysia unable to capitalise on fiery start against China

MALAYSIA were the underdogs, knowing very well that they needed to win the two doubles matches to have a chance of beating China in the Thomas Cup semi-finals at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta yesterday.

They only managed to get one from the second doubles match after Lee Chong Wei had giving them a rousing start to raise hopes of an upset over the defending champions. And Malaysia ended up as 2-3 losers.

Much was expected of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong to press on the advantage Chong Wei had given the team with a comfortable 21-12, 21-14 win over world number one Lin Dan. But the pair lost the first doubles match against Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng at 16-21, 17-21 defeat.

Joy and despair: Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng celebrating after beating Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.

Veteran Wong Choong Hann lost 18-21, 7-21 to Bao Chunlai in the next match to hand the lead to China, who had lost to Malaysia in the semi-finals of three previous editions in 1992, 1994 and 2002.

After Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif played superbly to keep Malaysia alive with a 21-17, 21-15 win over Guo Zhengdong-Xie Zhongbo, Mohd Hafiz Hashim had the task to turn the tables on Chen Jin to take Malaysia into the final. But he crashed to a 12-21, 16-21 defeat by a player carrying a hand injury.

Said skipper Choong Hann: “The team tried really hard. We were up against a very strong side and there is no shame in our defeat.”

With the defeat, Malaysia continue the chase to regain the Cup they won at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur in 1992.

Doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky was especially disappointed with the defeat of Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

A dejected singles coach Misbun Sidek and other players look on as China went on to seal a place in the final.

“As a team, we gave China a good fight. But as a coach for Kien Keat-Boon Heong, I am really disappointed. They are the strongest pair but turned out to be the weakest today. Hopes were high on them to deliver a point and they failed,” he said.

“I am tired of their up-and-down performances. Koo played well but not Tan.

“They like to take turns like this. They were hardly motivated on the court.”

National chief coach Yap Kim Hock felt that the team gave their best in the contest.

“I am satisfied with the performances. China were strong and they proved this again today.”

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