Going strong: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik celebrate after beating Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren of Thailand in the second round. — S.S.KANESAN/The Star
MEN’S doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are different beasts when it comes to major events. They proved it again by reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Games at the Binjiang Gymnasium yesterday.
The former world champions secured a 21-12, 21-14 win over Supak Jomkoh-Kittinupong Kedren of Thailand in the second round in just 30 minutes to set up a meeting against home favourites Liu Yuchen-Ou Xuanyi for a place in the semi-finals.
The pair are known to let their performance drop due to “overthinking” but Aaron said they have clear goals now.
“I won’t say our performance today (yesterday) was outstanding, but we are on the right track,” he said. “We had clear ideas. We have been very focused.”
The pair have showed some quality badminton en route to winning a bronze at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, world title and adding a bronze at the world championships in Copenhagen two months ago.
Wooi Yik said they were now playing to their strengths and dominating opponents.
“We are not just thinking about winning. We are focused on executing our playing style well and having the right strategy,” Wooi Yik said.
National director of coaching Rexy Mainaky believes the pair have what it takes to get into the semi-finals.
“It will be a tough match but Aaron-Wooi Yik must put pressure on the China pair who are playing on home ground,” said Rexy.
“They must remain strong, play their own game and be willing to go all out.”
Yuchen-Xuanyi have made a strong impact by eliminating reigning world champions Kang Ming-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea 21-19, 18-21, 21-13 in the second round.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had beaten the Chinese pair in the quarter-finals in Copenhagen to confirm their bronze medal and this will give the Malaysians’ a morale boost ahead of the crunch clash today.
Malaysia will also be battling against the odds in the women’s doubles quarter-finals as Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are up against world No. 2 Baek ha-na-Lee So-hee in the last eight today.
They beaten Thailand’s Jongkolphan Kititharakul-Rawinda Prajongjai 21-15, 21-17 yesterday.
“The Korean pair are very solid but Pearly-Thinaah need to give a strong fight and try to go for an upset,” added Rexy.
Rising pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, who beat Sai Prateek-Tanisha Crasto of India 21-18, 21-18, are faced with a real deal when they take Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China in the last eight.
Said mixed doubles coach Nova Widianto said: “Tang Jie-Ee Wei will be playing against the world No. 1. If they play their normal game and with confidence, there is a chance,” said Nova.
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie lost 17-21, 23-21, 21-13 to Supak Jomkoh-Supissaara Paewsampran of Thailand in another second round match.
