Malaysian pair Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong put an end to the country's 36-year wait for a gold from badminton in the Asian Games, local press reported Sunday.

The pair defeated Indonesian opponents Luluk Hadiyanto/Alven Yulianto 21-13, 21-14 in the men's doubles final in Doha Saturday night.

Last time Malaysian shuttlers won Asian Games gold medals was in 1970, when the country bagged three golds in men's singles, men's doubles and mixed doubles.

Koo/Tan not only brought home the first gold after 36 years of painful waiting but also became the first Malaysian badminton players to advance to the Asiad final after the year 1994.

The pair of dark horses have far outreached the bronze target set by the National Sport Commission, helping lift the gloom in the Malaysian camp and securing the fourth gold for the southeast Asian country.
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(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2006)