Sze Fei-Izzuddin lose to world champs in Asian Games quarters

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani’s hopes of winning at least a bronze medal at the Asian Games were dashed by China’s reigning world champions Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang.

The world No 3 Chinese pair beat the sixth-ranked Malaysians 21-13, 21-17 in just 27 minutes to enter the semi-finals, where they will take on Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin were nowhere near the form they had displayed in the earlier rounds, making numerous unforced errors throughout the match.

This setback means Malaysia will have to be content with only garnering one badminton medal at the games. Women’s doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M Thinaah are assured of a bronze medal as they have qualified for the semi-finals.

Malaysia won a men’s doubles bronze at the last Asian Games in 2022 through Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.