KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians dare dream again after national men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik checked into the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday.
A day after World No 1 Kento Momota of Japan was sent packing in the men's singles event, the Malaysians World No 9 ran amok at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza to upset World No 1 Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 21-14, 21-17 in the quarter-finals.
After seven previous failed attempts, this was the first time Aaron-Wooi Yik have got the better of the Indonesians, who were favourites to clinch the gold medal.
The Olympic newcomers, who have yet to win an Open title, will face third seeds Li Jun Hui-Liu Yu Chen of China on Friday for a place in the final.
World No 6, Jun Hui-Liu Chen had to dig deep before seeing off Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen of Denmark, 12-21, 21-14, 21-19 in the last eight stage.
"Boosted by this recent upset (against Marcus-Kevin), we are ready to face anyone. That has always been our game plan.
"We will continue playing as underdogs," said Aaron.
Head to head record favours the China duo, who have never lost to Aaron-Wooi Yik in all five previous meetings.