KUALA LUMPUR: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei believe they could have done better in their debut Olympic appearance at the Paris Games.
The world No. 9, who were flawless in topping Group D, lost 21-19, 21-14 to South Korea's Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun in the quarter-finals at Porte de la Chapelle Arena on Wednesday.
While Ee Wei's recurring back injury did affect the Malaysian pair's performance, Tang Jie admitted they also lacked the maturity to handle certain situations on the court.
Malaysian fans had expected Tang Jie-Ee Wei to reach the semi-finals, considering they had defeated the world No. 8 Koreans in their last two matches before Wednesday's encounter.
Ee Wei suffered a back injury early in the quarter-final match and had to use a brace for support to continue playing.
"Mentally, we were prepared for this match. However, on the court, we lacked the maturity in certain plays and how to handle some situations.
"Everyone has their pressure, it's just about how you handle it. Unfortunately, we did not make it today (Wednesday)," a despondent Tang Jie told the BWF.
Meanwhile, Ee Wei is unsure of the severity of her back injury after an awkward fall early in the match.
"We had a good experience playing in the Olympics, though we did not do well in the quarter-finals. There is nothing much I can say now," said the 23-year-old.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei won all their matches in the group stage, beating Singapore's Terry Hee-Jessica Tan, Vinson Chiu-Jennie Gai of the United States and world No. 2 Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
Won Ho-Na Eun will now face compatriots Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yu Jung.
The reigning world champions and world No. 2 defeated Hong Kong's Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet 21-15, 21-10 in the quarter-finals.
In the other semi-final, world No. 1 Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong of China will face Japan's Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino for a spot in the final.
RESULTS
MIXED DOUBLES
Q-FINALS
Kim Won Ho-Jeong Na Eun (Kor) bt Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (Mas) 21-19, 21-14; Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yu Jung (Kor) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) 21-15, 21-10; Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (Jpn) bt Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai 23-21, 21-14; Seo Seung Jae-Chae Yoo Jung (Kor) bt Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (Hkg) 21-15, 21-10.