Cheerful mood: Aaron Chia (left) and Soh Wooi Yik walking out of the court after beating Japan’s Akira Koga-Taichi Saito during the men’s doubles semi-final match.
SHAH ALAM: Men’s doubles shuttler Soh Wooi Yik avoided another birthday blues in the Asia Team Championships against Japan.
Wooi Yik, who turned 26 yesterday, had suffered a shock 21-23, 16-21 defeat along with Aaron Chia to unheralded Japanese pair Ayato Endo-Yuta Takei in the last edition of the team meet two years ago on his birthday.
Although Malaysia eventually won the tie 3-2, the painful defeat was etched in his memory.
The loss fuelled Wooi Yik to come from behind with Aaron to overcome Akira Koga-Taichi Saito 15-21, 21-17, 21-10 in the semi-finals at the Setia City Convention Centre yesterday.
World No. 15 Koga-Saito have been world No. 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik’s bogey pair with both pairs tied 3-3 on the head-to-head records in past tournaments.
The latter looked in trouble after losing the first game but fought hard to turn the tide around in the second before confidently sealing the win in the decider.
“Two years ago, I lost to Japan on my birthday and I was really disappointed,” said Wooi Yik.
“So, this was a motivation for me to win today (yesterday) as well.
“I really wanted to make amends for that defeat in front of the fans.”
Meanwhile, Aaron credited the home fans for spurring him and Wooi Yik on to claim the victory.
Aaron said: “The support of the fans was crucial for us to win today (yesterday).
“The second game was neck-and-neck and we kept our focus until the end to win.”
