KUALA LUMPUR: Rory Thor Chuan Leong and Moh Keen Hoo failed to defend their Sea Games gold medal in the snooker doubles after a pressure cooker atmosphere bundled them out in the semi-finals at the KL Convention Centre today.
The Malaysians unexpectedly lost 3-2 (80-0, 4-99, 0-84, 85-15, 30-69) to Singapore's Chan Keng Kwang-Tey Choon Kiat and they ended their campaign with a bronze medal.
They were ahead in the first frame with a clean 80-0 win, but lost to the Singaporean duo in the second and third frame 4-99, 0-84 and could not salvage their game after that.
They said the pressure of playing at home proved too great for them.
"Obviously we didn't play at our best, probably because of the pressure of playing in front of the home crowd. The feeling was really different, and we are not used to it.
"Although we really appreciate the support from our local fans, I think the pressure got to us," said Rory.
They qualified for the semi-finals after beating Laos.