HANGZHOU: The Malaysian badminton team will not be returning empty-handed from the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, once again showed up on the big stage, this time checking into the semi-finals of the men's doubles today.
On a day when the rest of the Malaysian players fell by the wayside, world No 5 Aaron-Wooi Yik rose to the occasion to oust China's Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi 21-18, 19-21, 21-18.
Cheering them on was Lee Chong Wei who was among the spectators at the Binjiang Gymnasium.
In the post-match interview, Wooi Yik said he can now breathe a huge sigh of relief, knowing that they have done enough to ensure Malaysia an Asiad medal.
"Our draw is not easy and since day one, we've played in really long and tough matches.
"But I'm really satisfied with how we played," said Wooi Yik.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will face India's world No. 3 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty tomorrow for a place in the final.
At the previous Games in Jakarta, the Malaysian team came under fire for coming home without a single medal.
The last Malaysian men's pair to win an Asiad medal were Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
QUARTER-FINAL RESULTS
(Malaysians only)
Men's singles: H.S.Prannoy (Ind) bt Lee Zii Jia 21-16, 21-23, 22-20; Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) bt Ng Tze Yong 22-20, 21-15.
Men's doubles: Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik bt Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi (Chn) 21-18, 19-21, 21-18.
Women's doubles: Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee (Kor) bt Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah 15-21, 21-11, 21-7.
Mixed doubles: Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong (Chn) bt Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei 21-14, 23-21.