'We were not calm enough': Pearly-Thinaah settle for Asian Games bronze

AICHI: A lack of composure at crucial moments proved costly for Pearly Tan-M Thinaah as they missed out on a place in the women's doubles final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games today.

The world No. 5 went down 16-21, 22-20, 21-14 to China's world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning in the semi-finals at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.

Pearly-Thinaah were well placed to create history after taking the opening game, but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities as the Chinese pair fought back to win the three-game battle.

Pearly said they had come agonisingly close to reaching the final, but their inability to stay calm at critical stages, especially in the second game, proved decisive.

"What we can say is that during the important points, we were not calm enough. Even though they are younger than us, they are very mature and that is something we need to learn from them," said Pearly after the match.

"We need to learn from this mistake and always remind each other that during crucial points, we need to stay calm. I think that is a big lesson for us."

After winning the first game, Pearly-Thinaah continued to apply pressure in the second and held the lead on several occasions.

Sheng Shu-Tan Ning, however, refused to buckle and gradually turned the momentum of the match in their favour.

The Malaysians fought back to level the score at 19-19 and again at 20-20.

But with the game on the line, the Chinese pair showed greater composure to take the final two points and force a decider with a 22-20 win.

Sheng Shu-Tan Ning stepped up the pressure in the third game and took control before sealing victory 21-14, ending Pearly-Thinaah's hopes of becoming the first Malaysian women's doubles pair to reach an Asian Games final.

Thinaah said the Chinese pair handled the pressure better when the match reached its crucial moments.

"Like Pearly said, during the important points they did their job well and we were not calm enough," she said.

"But there are many positives we can take from this match and there are many things we need to learn from our opponents."

Despite missing out on the final, Pearly-Thinaah's bronze medal ended Malaysia's 12-year wait for another women's doubles podium finish at the Asian Games.

The last Malaysian pair to win a medal in the event were Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, who took bronze at the 2014 Incheon edition.

Malaysia also won bronze medals through Tan Gaik Bee-Ng Mei Ling at Jakarta 1962 and Rosalind Singha Ang-Teoh Siew Yong at Bangkok 1970.

Thinaah said bringing home a bronze medal was still a positive achievement for them and the country, although there remained plenty to improve.

"It is a positive thing to be able to bring home a bronze medal for Malaysia. But there are still many things we need to improve and many things we need to learn from our opponents," said Thinaah.

"For now, we will look back at this match, discuss it and come back stronger at the next tournament."

Pearly-Thinaah will next turn their attention to two World Tour tournaments in Europe — the Denmark Open from Oct 13-18 and the French Open from Oct 20-25.