Pearly-Thinaah Make a Strong Push into the SEA Games Final
BANGKOK: In a display of resilience and skill, women’s doubles badminton duo Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah secured their place in the SEA Games championship match after a grueling battle against Indonesia’s Rachel Allesya-Febi Setianingrum.
The match proved intense from start to finish, with Pearly and Thinaah facing stiff resistance from their Indonesian opponents. Demonstrating exceptional grit and focus, the Malaysian pair managed to edge out their rivals with a hard-fought 21-14, 19-21, 21-16 victory in a tightly contested 78-minute encounter held at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani on Saturday, December 13.
As reigning silver medalists at the World Championships, Pearly and Thinaah now turn their sights on the final, where they will meet either Indonesia’s Febriana Dwipuji and Meilysa Trias or Vietnam’s Bui Bich Phuong and Vu Thi Trang. The outcome of that match will determine who will challenge the Malaysian duo for gold.
This upcoming final marks the eighth time Pearly and Thinaah have competed in a major final this year, underscoring their impressive consistency and form throughout the season. Their remarkable achievements include winning titles at the Thailand Open, Arctic Open, and Japan Masters. Additionally, they finished as runners-up at several prestigious tournaments such as the World Championships, Japan Open, Indonesian Open, and Indonesian Masters.
Securing the gold medal at the SEA Games would be a significant milestone, as it would end Malaysia’s decade-long drought in the women’s doubles category at this regional event. The last Malaysian pair to claim the title was Amelia Alicia Anscelly and Soong Fie Choo back in 2015.
And this is where it gets controversial—some might argue that the pressure to end that ten-year wait adds extra motivation, while others believe expectations could become a burden. What’s your take? Do you think Pearly and Thinaah have what it takes to finally bring home the gold for Malaysia this time around? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.
