Dream finally over for Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Reuters) Malaysia's dreams of a first world badminton title were finally laid to rest today when men's doubles duo Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah bowed out in the semi-finals.

Despite a 10,000 crowd at the Putra Stadium roaring them on, the pair were beaten 22-20 28-26 by third-seeded Indonesians Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan.

It was agonising stuff as the Malaysians battled to stay in the hunt for the gold medal that has eluded their country since the world championship started in 1977.

The pair had game point to win the second set six times but failed to capitalise.To their credit they also saved a match point before the Indonesians finally triumphed.

Choong and Lee were Malaysia's last hope after a series of failures earlier in the week by better-fancied candidates, including men's second seed Lee Chong Wei and All England men's doubles champions Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.

Still smarting from the Asian Cup soccer fiasco, sports fans across the nation were hoping for glory, especially on home territory.

But it was not to be and as with the soccer, the inquests could be long and painful.

REUTERS TB RAI1901