Malaysian badminton doubles pair of Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong should not be complacent with their victory over China's Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan in the group stage matches.

Instead, the national pair should remain focused ahead of today's gold-medal match, which certainly will be more intense and challenge their mental resilience.

National badminton great Razif Sidek reminded V Shem and Wee Kiong to stay focused for the match as their opponents were no ordinary contenders.

Razif said their victory in the group matches would not guarantee an easy win for the Malaysian pair because Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan were skillful and experienced players.

"The national pair should avoid making unforced errors that can influence their momentum," he said when contacted by Bernama in Kuala Lumpur today.

By shouting 'Malaysia Boleh' at the end of the conversation, the winner of a bronze medal in the men's doubles of the Barcelona Olympic Games 1992 was confident that the national pair were able to give a tough fight, thus realising the Malaysian Dream for the country's first-ever gold medal.

Former women's doubles coach Rosman Razak was confident that V Shem and Wee Kiong could turn their underdog status to their advantage.

According to Rosman, what was important was the national pair should know how to absorb the final match pressure, which would be different from the group stage matches.

"In the early stage, with their underdog status, the national pair played without pressure and I hope this will continue.

"I hope they will be able to withstand the pressure because this is the best chance to clinch the gold medal," he said.

'Be careful of opponents' strategy'

Rosman, who won silver medals in the 1997 and 1999 SEA Games, said although they had defeated the world number four in their group match, V Shem-Wee Kiong should be careful of their opponents' strategy.

"They played well throughout the competition. Although they have won in the group stage, V Shem-Wee Kiong must be careful of their opponents' tactics, in addition to the different atmosphere of the final match," he added.

Chief executive officer of the 29th SEA Games Secretariat and the 9th Asean Para Games, Zolkples Embong, urged the national pair to forget their meeting record against the Chinese pair and remain focused on the goal of winning the match.

"Their meeting record is not important at this Olympic stage, the current performance matters. They do not have to think too much on their achievement when they beat the Chinese pair in the group stage.

"I'm still thinking on how they can beat the world number one pair (Lee Yong-dae/ Yoo Yeon-seong). No matter what, Insyallah, we will pray that they can do their best," he said.

V Shem-Wee Kiong now ranked 12th in the world made a comeback from one set down to beat Fu Haifeng/Zhang Nan 16-21, 21-15, 21-18 in the Group B tie.

They later pulled off an upset to beat world number one, Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea, 17-21, 21-18, 21-18 in their quarter-finals on Monday.

The national pair marched into the final after shocking world number five pair, Chai Biao/Hong Wei of China 21-18, 12-21, 21-17.

The men's doubles final is scheduled at 11.50am today, local time (10.50pm today in Malaysia).

- Bernama