BUKIT JALIL: Doubles shuttlers Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem saved Malaysia from their worst-ever showing on home soil in the men’s doubles when they became the only pair to win the opening match.
On Wednesday, Khim Wah-V Shem gained sweet revenge when they dumped second seeds and reigning Korean Open champions Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark 24-22, 17-21, 21-18.
Just last week, the Malaysians had gone down with a whimper to the Danes in the quarter-finals of the season-opener in cold Seoul.
But on Wednesday, they were blowing hot, showing great fighting spirit to outplay the Danes and prevent Malaysia from suffering a complete whitewash.
Today, the Malaysian pair will take on Thailand’s Maneepong Jongjit-Nipitphon Puangpuapech.
V Shem said: “We played against them for the first time last week. After the defeat, we did our homework and this time we came prepared. It was great to beat them here.”
Khim Wah said that the win has boosted their confidence as they seek to end a four-year wait for a Super Series title.
“We had some problems before but now V Shem and I are united in wanting to do well for the nation. We are getting more confident now and will be ready for anyone.”
It was an early exit for the other Malaysian pairs – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Chooi Kah Ming-Teo Ee Yi and the two independent pairs of Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari and Mohd Hafiz Hashim-Mohd Razif Abdul Latif.
Malaysia’s top pair of Kien Keat-Boon Heong went down 17-21, 14-21 to Chai Biao-Hong Wei of China and the duo, who are playing in their first tournament after one and half months, offered no excuses for their loss.
“Seriously, there should be no more excuses from us. Obviously, there is a problem between us (on court) but I just do not know how to explain this anymore,” said Kien Keat, who will be a father in April.
“We are in a sad situation now. We made a lot of mistakes ... Boon Heong and I have to have a discussion.”
Boon Heong said: “We didn’t have enough training ... this is one area we need to improve on. I believe that we can still get it right if both us want it badly.”
Malaysia’s second pair of Thien How-Wee Kiong, who are struggling with hand and hip injuries respectively, could not play their A game and went down 21-18, 19-21, 20-22 to England’s Chris Langridge-Peter Mills.
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