Wrong Strategy Costs Aaron & Wooi Yik in China Open Final, Says Coach

Source : GPTBadminton

National men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik fell short in the final of the 2025 China Open Badminton Championships yesterday, losing to Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in straight games.

The Malaysian pair were defeated 15-21, 14-21 at the Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium in Changzhou. According to national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, the result was largely down to adopting the wrong strategy against their Indonesian rivals.

Herry shared that Aaron and Wooi Yik struggled to find their rhythm from the start, allowing Fajar and Fikri to dictate the pace of the match. The Malaysians, who are known for their powerful smashes and quick interceptions at the net, were often forced into long rallies, which played to the strengths of the Indonesians.

“They went in with a game plan that didn’t work. Instead of playing more aggressively and trying to control the net, they got drawn into defensive play,” said Herry. “Once that happened, it became very difficult to turn the match around.”

The defeat ended Aaron and Wooi Yik’s hopes of clinching their first Super 1000 title of the season, despite an impressive run to the final. They had earlier beaten several top pairs to book their spot, showing glimpses of the form that helped them win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics.

Still, Herry believes there is a lot the duo can take from this tournament. “It’s always disappointing to lose a final, but this experience is important. They need to learn to adapt faster during matches and change tactics if things aren’t going their way,” he said.

Fajar and Fikri, on the other hand, deserved credit for their solid performance. They controlled the net exchanges and capitalized on every opportunity to attack, rarely giving Aaron and Wooi Yik room to recover.

As the season continues, the focus now shifts to the upcoming tournaments where the Malaysian pair will look to bounce back. Fans will be hoping to see them return stronger, armed with better strategies and renewed determination. For now, though, it’s a reminder that in badminton, as in all sports, the right plan can make all the difference between victory and defeat.

The Uncommon Breed

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