TNB MLH 2018: THT Rampas Takhta Liga
January 19, 2018
Reunited Pair Gunning for First Title of the Year
January 20, 2018
KUALA LUMPUR (19 January, 2018): The entire nation will shift their focus on national men’s doubles, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and mixed doubles, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai as both pairs continue their fight into the semi-finals stage of the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2018 (PMM2018) presented by Daihatsu. 
After losing the first set to China’s Liu Cheng and Zhang Nan, V Shem and Wee Kiong shifted into top gear to register a 12-21 21-18 21-18 over the third seeds.
“We just focused on our own game plan and it worked to perfection. We lost in the first set only because we haven’t played them (Liu and Zhang) in a long time. Their style of play has differed but we managed to recover from our own mistakes. The home fans were also on our side so that helped as well,” said Wee Kiong.
Soon Huat and Shevon got the better of national teammates Lai Pei Jing and Tan Kian Meng in the PMM2018 quarterfinals earlier today at the Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur Sports City. They won the all-Malaysian encounter 21-14 21-15 to setup a semi-final date with Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet.
“It wasn’t easy playing against our teammates as we are familiar with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. The main difference today was that we played better than them. We were just having positive thoughts going into the match as we know that either way we will have one Malaysian representative in the semi-finals,” said Soon Huat.
The other Malaysian mixed doubles pair, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying were also eliminated in the quarterfinals as they went down to Chun Man and Ying Suet 13-21 16-21.
The journey for national women’s singles Goh Jin Wei and Lee Ying Ying ended in the quarterfinals stage.
Jin Wei’s valiant performance against World No. 5 Ratchanok Intanon was not enough as the Thai won 21-23 21-6 21-10 while Rio Olympic winner Carolina Marin proved too strong for Ying Ying with the Spaniard taking the win 21-17 21-16.
“They both performed well even though the differences in qualities are still there for everyone to see. But they were motivated and I truly appreciate their fighting spirits,” said national coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock.
“Tactically, their opponents (Marin and Intanon) were probably better than our players and that made things difficult for them. Overall it is a good start to the year for the women’s singles department. They will need to keep up the effort and I hope that they can go far,” he added.
Malaysia will have another representative in the semi-finals tomorrow in the form of independent player, Liew Daren who will meet World No. 1 Viktor Axelsen after Daren’s 21-18 21-17 win over Thailand’s Suppanyu Avihingsanon.
Perodua Malaysia Masters Quarterfinals Result (19 January 2018)
*results only involving Malaysian players
Men’s Singles:
Liew Daren (MAS) bt Suppanyu Avihingsanon (THA) 21-18 21-17
Men’s Doubles:
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (MAS) bt Liu Cheng-Zhang Nan (CHN) 12-21 21-18 21-18
Women’s Singles:
Carolina Marin (ESP) bt Lee Ying Ying (MAS) 21-17 21-16
Ratchanok Intanon (THA) bt Goh Jin Wei (MAS) 21-23 21-6 21-10
Mixed Doubles:
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai (MAS) bt Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing (MAS) 21-14 21-15
Tang Chun Man-Tse Ying Suet (HKG) bt Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (MAS) 21-13 21-16
