KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are on the verge of securing their first badminton gold at the Asian Para Games in Ichinomiya City, with Cheah Liek Hou-Faris Azri needing one more victory in the SU5 men's doubles tomorrow.
Liek Hou-Faris will clinch gold if they beat South Korea's Jeon Sun Woo-Kim Ge Yeon in their final round-robin match tomorrow.
The Malaysian pair are undefeated after beating Taiwan's Fang Jen Yu-Pu Gui Yu and Thailand's Pricha Somsiri-Nattaphon Thaweesap in a four-pair event.
Two-time Paralympic champion Liek Hou said the men's doubles gold would be crucial for Malaysia after failing to win a title at Hangzhou 2022.
"We have already won two matches and will go all out against the Koreans. We didn't win gold at the Hangzhou Games, so this is very important for us," said Liek Hou.
However, the Malaysian pair face a tricky schedule, as Liek Hou will also face Faris in a singles quarter-final before their doubles match.
"It was unavoidable after Faris finished his group matches and was drawn to play against me," Liek Hou added.
"However, we have to take it as a blessing in disguise, as at least there will be a Malaysian in the semi-finals and a confirmed medal in the singles."
Their coach, Nova Armada, was unfazed by the draw, saying Liek Hou would have had to work harder if he had been drawn against Taiwan's Jen Yu.
Jen Yu beat Faris to top Group B, avoiding Group A winner Liek Hou in the quarter-finals.
"The singles will be played first, and I believe Liek Hou will be a bit too strong for Faris. So, it is a straightforward situation," said Nova.
"If Liek Hou had been drawn to play against Fang, he would be tired, and it would be tough for him when they face the Koreans in the doubles."
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