NINGBO: Men's pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are pleased with their overall performance at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, despite falling short of making the final.
The former world champions were knocked out in the semi-finals on Saturday, following a 21-14, 21-18 defeat to national teammates and world No. 19 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Aaron said he didn't feel too hard done by the defeat. Instead, he feels that he and Wooi Yik are moving in the right direction, especially with the Thomas Cup coming up later this month.
"Firstly, I want to congratulate Sze Fei-Izzuddin for playing a very good match. It was always going to be difficult when up against your own teammates.
"Overall, I'm pleased with how Wooi Yik and I had performed here in Ningbo, very positive," said Aaron, who, together with Wooi Yik, were finalists two years ago in Manila.
On the rise of several Malaysian men's pairs lately, including Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri, Aaron said: "I have said this before, we play together and we grow together as a team, as one.
"The rise of these pairs means there is good work being done at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, especially by the men's doubles department. This bodes well for us, especially with the Thomas Cup coming up."
In the Thomas Cup, Malaysia are in Group D with Denmark, Hong Kong and Algeria.
