Yesterday, the scratch pair turned on the power to end Malaysia’s 34-year-old wait for the women’s crown in the Laos Games. They defied the odds to seal the winning point in a 3-1 win over fancied Indonesia at the Gymnasium I of the National Sports Complex.

Malaysia last gold-medal winning effort was in the then Seap Games in 1975 in Bangkok. And their last previous appearance in the final was in 1977 when Indonesia made their entry into the regional biennial Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Khe Wei-Hui Lin hauled themselves up from a first-game setback to defeat Indonesian big names Lilyana Natsir and Greysia Polii 19-21, 21-12, 21-18 in a thrilling one-hour battle.

Malaysia had expected to win the first two points through Wong Mew Choo and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty and the seasoned campaigners duly delivered.

Mew Choo took only 37 minutes to beat Firdasari Adrianti 21-19, 21-17 while Eei Hui-Pei Tty made short work of Shendy Puspa Irawati-Meiliana Jauhari.

But Lydia Cheah found Olympic bronze medallist Maria Kristin too hot to handle and went down meekly at 8-21, 9-21 in just 30 minutes.

Khe Wei-Hui Lin, who do not partner each other regularly, were not given a ghost of chance to clinch victory for Malaysia with a match to spare. But they fought hard to achieve their biggest breakthrough in their career to the delight of a huge Malaysian crowd in the hall.

A jubilant national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky said: “I chose to field them because I sensed something special about them. They have the character to be match winners. One is steady in defence and the other is good in attack.

“Khe Wei and Hui Lin took their chances well. Despite their inexperience, they were brave and remained cool in crucial situations. I am so happy for them.”

The 20-year-old Khe Wei was ecstatic.

“I could not feel my heart beat when we nailed the last point. I just could not believe it,” she said.

“It is hard to believe that Malaysia had not won the women’s team title for so long and I am happy that our team nailed the elusive title.

“Hui Lin and I hardly train together but here, eveything just clicked for us. This is an amazing feeling.”

Added the 20-year-old Hui Lin: “We just ran and hugged our team-mates. This is my best achievement. I had doubts over my badminton career this year but it has now been put to rest. I will continue playing to win honours for the country.

“I will return home tomorrow. My mission here is over. I am not competing in the individual event. I have to bury my head in my books and get ready for my exams.” Khe Wei will partner Sabrina Chong in the individual competition, which begins tomorrow.