Gao Ling and Huang Sui rallied from one set down to upset their teammate dual Yang Wei and Zhang Jiewen 18-21, 23-21 and 21-14, awarding China its fourth badminton gold medal at the Doha Asian Games in Doha on Saturday.
Yang/Zhang raced into the lead by winning consecutive points in the first game. In the second game, Gao/Huang made it a little difficult for their opponents. After saving a match point, Gao/ Huang launched fierce attacks to force a deciding third game.
In the third game, Yang/Zhang's coordination faded away and showed a sliding trend in their mental strength, losing the even one-hour match.
"They are very strong. We have played them before. Once we won, once we lost. We know they are good," said gold medallist Huang Sui.
"In the second game, they came very close, when we were 20-20. There were a few high shot coming through that I thought we were going to lose, but she (Gao Ling) kept hitting them back, she didn 't give up and that gave me a lot of encouragement," added Huang.
Gao Ling won three gold medals in Doha out of the team, mixed and women's doubles.
"We prepared very well for this match. We played it fast," said Gao.
"It wasn't only me fighting. We battled together."
Zhang felt regretful for the loss.
"I think anyone who doesn't get the gold in a final will regret it to a degree," said Zhang.
"I probably won't be at the next Asian Games. This is my last one. There were some chances for us to win, but we just didn't play to the extent of our ability."
Chinese head coach Li Yongbo gave positive comments to his team in general in spite of Lin Dan's defeat to Taufik Hidayat in the men's singles.
"We had the goal to win at least three medals and we have already won more than three, so it's good," said Li.
"As long as we can find out what to do better for our preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, then these losses have a purpose.
"Lin Dan is stronger than Taufik. He is faster than him and his technique is a little better.
"But at this level of competition, the playing abilities are very similar, so it's normal for either side to win," said Li.
"I have watched him (Taufik) play at the Asian Games and he is good. Lin Dan did not give his best in the match."