KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 9 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei have the fire and potential to beat any pair at the Paris Olympics, according to 2016 Rio Games silver medallist Chan Peng Soon.
Dubbed the 'Gangster Duo' by Malaysian badminton fans, Tang Jie-Ee Wei upset the form book by overcoming China's world No. 2 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping, and topping Group D with a flawless record of three wins in Paris.
Peng Soon believes the Malaysians can repeat their success when they face South Korea's world No. 8 Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun in the quarter-finals at Porte de la Chapelle Arena on Wednesday.
"I watched the match yesterday (against Yan Zhe-Dong Ping), and all I can say is that Tang Jie-Ee Wei played exceptionally well, without pressure.
"The pressure was definitely on the Chinese pair, which was surprising as Dong Ping is an Olympic gold medallist from Tokyo (with Wang Yilyu).
"So, I hope they can maintain the same approach, play without pressure in the quarter-finals. They just need to stay focused and not worry about losing anything.
"Based on their performance so far, I think they have a good chance of at least winning a medal. Moreover, their standard is not far from other pairs, and they can actually beat anyone if they are at their best.
"Besides, this is the Olympics, and anything can happen. The most important thing is for them to be mentally strong every time they step onto the court. That's what will set them apart from their opponents," Peng Soon told BH Sukan.
On paper, Tang Jie-Ee Wei have a slight advantage over Won Ho-Na Eun going into their quarter-final clash, having won two of their three previous encounters, including the last two at the 2023 Asian Championships and the China Open.
If they overcome Won Ho-Na Eun, the Malaysian pair will meet the winner of the match between South Korea's Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yu Jung and Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet in the semi-finals.
Peng Soon suggested that Tang Jie-Ee Wei treat the quarter-final like a final to provide additional motivation.
"This is the knockout stage, so they need to prepare as if it's a final, treating every match as their last. This will make them fight hard in every game," he said.
For the record, Peng Soon, along with his partner Goh Liu Ying, made history as the first Malaysian mixed doubles pair to win an Olympic medal, bringing home silver from Rio in 2016.