PETALING JAYA: Not every defeat has to end in disappointment, and mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie preferred to focus on the positives despite their China Masters campaign ending in the semi-finals.

The husband-and-wife pair went down 11-21, 22-24 to world No. 1 Feng Yanzhe-Huang Dongping at the Shenzhen Arena on Saturday (Sept 5).

Despite the defeat, Soon Huat-Shevon were pleased with their run to the last four, having not reached a semi-final since the Indian Open in January last year.

More importantly, the result came as a welcome boost after a difficult few months in which they struggled for consistency and also had to adjust following the departure of coach Teo Kok Siang, who has since joined the national coaching set-up.

"I think it means a lot to us because we can see much improvement from both of us.

"And I think we will keep going and train harder," said Soon Huat in a post-match interview with BWF.

Their performance in Shenzhen has also given the pair renewed confidence as they begin a new chapter under Ameer Amri Zainuddin, who has taken charge of the independent set-up after previously serving as Kok Siang’s assistant.

"I think we're moving in the right direction because in the past few months, we've lost a bit of direction and lost our way in the process.

"We did not have a clear direction or a clear goal. Now that we have been working with a new coach, there are some new challenges that we have to face.

"I think this also gives us a refreshed environment that both of us can look forward to," said Shevon.

Soon Huat-Shevon will have little time to rest as they turn their attention to national duty at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from Sept 19-Oct 4.