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EVERYONE was expecting another demolition, and those Malaysians who had been following the proceedings at the Chiangmai Indoor Stadium were resigned to the fact that badminton will end today with the Indonesians dominating.
But Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, the only ones who believed in themselves yesterday, beat the odds when they sent world champions Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja crashing out 15-13, 15-9 in double quick time.
And then the Malaysian flag was hoisted, in what seemed to be uncharacteristic at a venue dominated by the awesome Indonesians.
Yes, it was an emotional moment for both Malaysians and Malaysian badminton.
For, in one single stroke, fashioned by a fire unseen in the Malaysian players of late, Cheah-Yap had not only provided Malaysia with a much needed gold to increase the tally, but had also moved a step closer to the world title.
When you beat the world champions, beyond that victory lies the title doubles players dream of and battle for.
But Cheah and Yap are not looking at that yet. The pair, who have beaten Indonesia's top three doubles pairs these last three weeks beginning with the World Grand Prix Finals early in the month, are looking at the All- England title in March.
In the World GP in Singapore, they beat Bambang Suprianto-Gunawan, the No 2 ranked Indonesians who recently dropped to No 4 and who are here in Chiangmai, and then they took care of No 2 ranked Indonesians Denny Kantono-Antonius as they made their way to the final.
And the player who was more on focus yesterday, after the emotional win, was Yap, who played a key role in the victory.
He was so full of fire, he was sharp, he was deadly, and more importantly, when it mattered most, he wasn't rash.
When asked what took hold of him yesterday, Yap said, he was geram (bitter).
"I was angry because we have always lost to them. So I told myself that we have nothing to lose by going out there and show them what we've got," said Yap.
They did just that.
And to think that in all the 43 minutes in both games, not once were the Indonesians in the lead.
The Indonesians had, earlier in...