Siti Zalina-Emma Firyana fail to defend pairs gold after semis loss

BIRMINGHAM: The combination of Siti Zalina Ahmad and Emma Firyana Saroji failed to defend their women's pairs gold medal after crashing out in the semi-finals of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games today.

The national pair fought all the way in a tense battle that lasted until 18 ends at Victoria Park, Leamington Spa but still found Kristina Krstic-Ellen Ryan a tough nut to crack as the Australians eventually prevailed 13-10.

The only consolation for Siti Zalina-Emma Firyana is that they can still win the bronze medal when they take on New Zealand's Selina Goddard-Katelyn Inch tomorrow (Aug 6).

National coach Nor Hashimah Ismail said although Siti Zalina-Emma Firyana failed to defend the gold medal they won at the 2018 edition in Gold Coast, Australia, they still showed tremendous fighting spirit.

"They played well but luck was not on their side today. I hope they will continue to play this way in the bronze medal playoff tomorrow," she said.

Meanwhile, it was also the end of the road for the national men's fours team after they fell in the quarter-finals today.

The national team, comprising Muhammad Idham Amin Ramlan, Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple, Mohamad Syamil Syazwan Ramli and Muhammad Soufi Rusli, lost 10-16 to England's quartet of Louis Ridout, Nick Brett, Jamie Chestney and Sam Tolchard.

-- BERNAMA