JAKARTA: Since the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, Malaysia have never returned empty handed — as far as badminton is concerned.
However, the spectre has come back to haunt the national shuttlers, when men's doubles: Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, crashed out in the quarter-finals today.
V Shem-Wee Kiong, who won the bronze medal four years ago in Incheon, went down 22-20, 21-19 to World No 1 and local favourites Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo at the Istora Senayan Stadium.
And in an earlier quarter-final tie, national No 2 Yew Sin-Ee Yi lost tamely 21-17, 21-13 to Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto, just one day after upsetting World No 3 Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda of Japan, in the second round.
Intimidated by the Indonesian fans, Yew Sin admitted that he and Ee Yi made too many unforced errors, which affected their rhythm.
"In the first game, we started off well, it was neck and neck, but towards the end, we made too many unforced errors.
"Playing at the Istora is a completely different experience. The fans can really mess you up psychologically," Yew Sin lamented.
Ee Yi took responsibility for the defeat, saying he wasn't in his best form.
"I am disappointed because I couldn't bring out my game. It all just went downhill from there," added Ee Yi.
The Malaysian badminton camp's target for a gold medal, took a huge blow prior to the Games, when former World No 1 Lee Chong Wei, withdrew due to illness.
In his absence, the BA of Malaysia lowered their target to just two bronze medals.