Malaysia Open: Liu Ying retires after last dance with Peng Soon

It was the end of an era for one of Malaysia’s most popular shuttlers as Goh Liu Ying played her final competitive game together with long-time partner Chan Peng Soon at the Malaysia Open on Wednesday.

It wasn't the desired result Goh hoped for, after the mixed doubles pair lost 21-18, 15-21, 7-21 to Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu in the first round of the Super 1000 event at the Axiata Arena.

But Liu was grateful to have the opportunity to play with Chan at the same tournament where they made their debut some 15 years ago.

“Even if I could have won one match, it would be a bonus for me and Peng Soon. I just wanted to give the fans something to cheer about. The fans have been amazing, they never scolded us and always supported us.

“We never won the Malaysia Open, only reaching the final twice. But it is still an honour to finish my career on home ground,” she said.

Goh and Chan reached the Malaysia Open final in 2013 and 2016 but could only settle for a runners-up finish each time.

In 2016 they lost to Indonesians Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir, the same pair who beat them to gold at the Rio Olympics that same year, which Goh counted as her greatest career achievement.

“My best moment was definitely at the 2016 Olympics, I will always treasure that,” she clarified, adding that she was surprised to even qualify for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics that was held in 2021.

“I was surprised when we qualified for the Tokyo Olympics. When it was delayed for another year I asked Peng Soon if we should still stick it out, and he was certain we should play.”

Goh’s decorated career saw her become the first Malaysian female shuttler to win a medal at the Olympics, as well as compete at three editions of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Together with Chan, whom she reunited one last time after splitting in 2021, the pair achieved their highest world ranking of third in 2012.

Even though Goh never won the Olympics, she still triumphed in other major events such as the Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships.

Chan jokingly said he ‘felt old’ seeing his long-time partner retire, even indicating that retirement would not be too long away for him.

But for now, Chan will team up with Cheah Yee See as they bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024.