MOHD Syafiq Kamal and Aifa Azman have done the unexpected after becoming the first Malaysian mixed doubles medallists at the Asian Games.
And they are not stopping at that as the duo want to turn the tables on high-riding Indian pair Harinder Pal Sandhu-Deepika Pallikal Karthik next to deliver Malaysia a precious gold medal.
Syafiq-Aifa prevented an all-Indian final affair after coming from behind to beat Abhay Singh-Anahat Singh 8-11, 11-2, 11-9 in the semi-finals at the HOC Squash Centre yesterday.
The Indian pair were on the verge of dragging the match when they led 9-7 in the third set but the Malaysian pair fought back to pick up four points on the trot to secure a place in the final.
It is the first time that the mixed doubles event is played at the Asian Games and Syafiq-Aifa now have a shot at contributing a surprise gold for Malaysia if they get their acts right.
It is not an easy task by any means as Harinder-Deepika are the reigning Asian champions.
Harinder-Deepika defeated Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Him-Lee Ka Yi 7-11, 11-7, 11-9 in the other semi-final match.
“We expect another tough match tomorrow (today). We lost to Harinder-Deepika in the semi-finals at the Asian Mixed Doubles Championships in China two months ago,” said Syafiq.
“But we will be ready for them as we have nothing to lose.
“We look forward to giving them a hard time and playing our best,” added the 27-year-old Syafiq, who is competing in his second Asian Games.
Aifa said talking to each other constantly and placing full confidence in her partner had kept them going until the third game.
“We kept encouraging each other and said that they’ll have to earn the points. We wanted to make it hard for them.
“I’m very happy to be in another Asian Games final, both of us wanted badly to come this far.
“Now we will have a good rest, eat well and recover for the final,” added the 22-year-old Aifa, who was a member of the women’s team that won gold last week.
