Falling short: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in action against Indonesia’s Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza in the first doubles of the men’s team final. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
BANGKOK: Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have always been Malaysia’s go-to saviours in pressure situations but even they could not stop a golden opportunity from slipping away at the SEA Games.
Malaysia went down 0-3 to Indonesia in the men’s team final at the Thammasat University in Pathum Thani yesterday.
The world No. 2 pair were expected to turn the tide after Leong Jun Hao’s narrow 12-21, 19-21 defeat to Alwi Farhan in the opening singles but instead, Malaysia’s hopes of ending a 20-year wait for the team gold fell apart in painful fashion.
Aaron-Wooi Yik, usually the heartbeat of the team, never hit top gear and were outplayed 12-21, 12-21 by world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza.
With the tie hanging by a thread, debutant Justin Hoh could not withstand the pressure and went down 12-21, 14-21 to world No. 48 Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, sealing Malaysia’s 0-3 collapse.
It was a bitter blow because Malaysia were heavily fancied against an under-strength Indonesia, who had left out star names Jonatan Christie and top doubles pair Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.
Yet, even without their big guns, Indonesia extended their dominance, just as they did in the last Games in Cambodia.
Malaysia lost 1-3 to Indonesia in the final of the last Games in Cambodia, where the solitary point was delivered by Jun Hao then.
Wooi Yik was disappointed and said that Sabar-Moh played more confidently while they made too many unforced errors.
“We just wanted to fight to try to level the tie. We are disappointed that we could not deliver a point,” said Wooi Yik.
“We tried to execute our game plan and not make it easy for our opponents in the front court but they were more confident.
“We also made many unforced errors and this contributed to our defeat.”
Debutant Justin too wore a sad face.
“Honestly, my opponent was very confident as his team were leading 2-0 and the pressure was on me,” said Justin.
“He played very well and I have to accept this defeat.”
Malaysia last won the team gold at the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines. The team will now be out to redeem their pride in the individual competition which starts today.
