Ameeshenraj-Rachel claim bronze after heated semi-final loss

NAGOYA: Squash players C. Ameeshenraj and Rachel Arnold were forced to settle for bronze in the mixed doubles event after a tough encounter with Hong Kong's Toby Tse-Lai Cheuk Nam in the semi-finals at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Saturday.

Toby-Cheuk Nam had the edge when it mattered, clinching a close two-setter 11-10, 11-7 at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena.

Ameeshenraj-Rachel made it clear they were not happy with a number of referee decisions during the match but ultimately accepted that Toby-Cheuk Nam were the better pair on the day.

"I think we didn't really play our best and were probably a bit unlucky in the first set. I am disappointed with today, there are definitely areas we can improve on," said Rachel.

"We know that on our best day, we are confident of beating any pair in Asia but unfortunately, it was just one of those days where nothing really went our way," added Ameeshenraj.

"Being a referee is a tough job, you cannot really please everyone.

"When the points are close and you are very sure of some pick-ups and they are called down, it can be very frustrating.

"Having said that, we should have probably handled our emotions a bit better. You cannot always blame the referee. You have to take responsibility for your own points."

Ameeshenraj, who is making his Asiad debut, said he was disappointed to not be able to win gold for Malaysia.

"I am always going to aim for the gold, so I am disappointed as we know what we are capable of," he said.

"But at the end of the day, getting a medal for Malaysia still means a lot to me, especially on my Asian Games debut.

"Hopefully there will be many more editions of the Asian Games to come for me."

Ameeshenraj-Rachel had beaten South Korea's Oh Seo Jin-Heo Ming Yeong in the quarter-finals on Friday.

Aifa Azman-Syafiq Kamal, the only other Malaysian pair in the mixed doubles draw, had lost to Hong Kong's Lee Ka Yi-Tang Ming Hong in the quarter-finals.

Toby-Cheuk Nam will play compatriots Lee Ka Yi-Tang Ming Hong in the final on Sunday.