IPOH: Former Olympics silver medalist Cheah Soon Kit said luck was not Datuk Lee Chong Wei's side although he had tried his best in the final match.
"Maybe fatigue from yesterday's match with Lin Dan was a factor.
"On the other hand, Chen Long also played a very determined game.
Very motivated, I would say," Cheah said in a phone interview tonight.
Cheah, a legendary Malaysian doubles player, was dubbed as 'The Killer' in his heyday due to his strong and powerful smash. Together with his partner Yap Kim Hock, they won the silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games.
"I really thought that Chong Wei would win but then again, anything can happen during the Olympics.
"I believe it's also the age factor because Chen Long is younger and so he recuperated faster after yesterday's game.
"Nevertheless, I was proud because we have heroes in our badminton arena," said Cheah, adding that Malaysia should always rally behind those representing the country.
He said Chong Wei's effort meant a lot because qualifying for the Olympics was not an easy task.
"Only a handful of us made it and silver or gold is the same to me," he said.