National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik (left) speak at a press conference after an official training session for the Perodua Malaysia Masters 2026 at Unifi Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, May 18, 2026. — Bernama pic (New users only) It's tax relief season! Get up to RM300 when you save with Versa! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. Sunday, 24 May 2026 4:12 PM MYT KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Malaysia’s men’s doubles squad failed to meet their target of retaining the Malaysia Masters title won last year, with no Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) pair advancing to the final this time around.The disappointment deepened after national pairs Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Wan Arif Wan Junaidi-Yap Roy King were eliminated in the semi-finals yesterday.National men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi admitted that the overall performance of the men’s doubles department at this year’s edition fell short of expectations.“In terms of results, it was not good. Last year was better because we had an all-Malaysian final, but this year we only reached the semi-finals,” he said when met yesterday.Despite missing the target, Herry said he was pleased with the progress shown by younger pairs such as Aaron Tai-Kang Kai Xing during the tournament.“From the way they played, there is improvement compared to last year. What I hoped to see is beginning to show,” he said.On the performance of top national pair Aaron-Wooi Yik, who crashed out in the semi-finals, Herry admitted the duo’s inability to control their emotions contributed to the defeat and cost them a place in the final.“I saw Aaron and Wooi Yik were a bit nervous and too eager to win.“Maybe because of that they could not control their emotions, and we even saw Aaron throwing his racket on court,” he said. — Bernama