Glasgow: Defending champions Malaysia reached the Commonwealth Games badminton mixed team final on Sunday but only after an epic 3-2 victory in the best of five rubbers semi-final against Singapore.
Mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Lai Pei Jing had to come from behind to scrap past Danny Chrisnanta/Vanessa Neo 17-21, 21-12, 21-14 to clinch the winning point in a three set thriller that kept the fans on the edge of their seats.
“The first set we were a bit worried but in the second set we felt better and did not think much about it being a decider,” said Lai. “The crowd was very supportive.” “We just stuck to the strategy,” added Chan, after the pair came from behind to win the 67 minute final match that brought an excitable crowd at the Emirates Arena to its feet at the conclusion.
Tan Wee Kiong and Goh V Shem were able to get the better of the luckless Chrisnanta and partner Chayut Triyachart in the opening men’s doubles rubber 21-17, 18-21, 21-16.
But Liang Xiaoyu levelled up with a two-game victory over Tee Jing Yi, 21-12, 22-20 to square the tie.
Chong Wei Feng, arguably the most senior member of the side with a world ranking of 20, was comfortably the most impressive performer of the match as he beat Derek Wong 21-9, 21-18.
However, Singapore levelled the score yet again when their women’s doubles pair Shinta Mulia Sari/Yao Lei beat Woon Khe Wei/Vivian Hoo 9-21, 18-21 in straight sets to force the outcome to be decided by the mixed doubles match.
Malaysia will meet England in tomorrow’s mixed team final.
