It was a true nail-biting experience for those of us back home who were watching the Rio 2016 men’s doubles badminton quarterfinals last night.
But we collectively heaved a sigh of relief when Malaysian shuttlers Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong withstood an aggressive game and stunned world #1 pair Lee Yong Dae/Yoon Yeon Seong from South Korea to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games men’s doubles semi-finals.
V Shem/Wee Kiong undoubtedly played one of their best matches ever, having beaten Yong Dae/Yeon Seong only one other time in 6 previous encounters.
After fighting tooth-and-nail in an nerve-wracking battle, the Malaysian athletes cruised into the semis with a 17-21, 21-18, 21-19 win in 86 minutes, a wonderful victory that boosted our country’s medal hopes in the Olympics.
“Once we were in front in the second and third games, we kept on pushing. We are really happy because we played well. But we are not going to think too far ahead, just go one step at a time,” The Star quoted V Shem as saying.
“We stood the pressure and went into attacking mode in the decider. We have confidence to move further,” Wee Kiong said after the match, adding that they will go all out in the semis.
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V Shem/Wee Kiong will take on China’s Chai Biao/Hong Wei in the last 4 after the Chinese pair topples Russian pair Valdimir Inaov/Ivan Sozonov 21-13, 16-21, 21-16 in 56 minutes. In another semi-final, world #4, Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan from China, will take on Britain’s Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge.
Go for Gold Wee Kiong & V Shem!!! pic.twitter.com/SRf40L36mB
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) August 15, 2016
The Malaysia vs China men’s doubles semi-finals is scheduled for later today (Tuesday, 16th August) at 8:10pm Malaysian time. Go for gold, Malaysia! We’re right behind you.
#MalaysiaBoleh :)
Sources: Bernama, The Star, Khairy Jamaluddin.
