Misbun challenges Daren to prove his worth
News 2:42 PM
COACH Misbun Sidek has thrown down the gauntlet to back-up singles shuttler Liew Daren to prove he is good enough to warrant a spot in the squad for the Thomas Cup Finals next year.
The late withdrawal of national No. 1 Lee Chong Wei due to injury has thrust Daren into the fray for the Laos SEA Games.
The Kuala Lumpur shuttler, who was expected to be the reserve for the men’s team event, will now take up the third singles slot behind Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Kuan Beng Hong.
In the doubles, Malaysia have brought along three pairs to Vientiane – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif and Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah.
Misbun wants Daren to step up to the plate and prove his worth when the team event begins on Friday.
Take that: Malaysia’s Chiu Soo Jin serving to Thailand’s Muangsuk Anisara during the women’s table tennis team preliminary round match o Tuesday. Malaysia lost 2-3. “It is an open secret that the fourth singles slot in the Thomas Cup squad is still up for grabs. Chong Wei’s withdrawal is a perfect opportunity for Daren to show what he is capable of,” said Misbun yesterday.
Although the shuttler trains under Hendrawan, the Indonesian coach is not present in Vientiane and Misbun is in charge of the singles players in Laos.
Daren has had a patchy record in competitions this year.
He started the year impressively by reaching the quarter-finals of the Super Series Malaysian Open, bowing out to Chong Wei.
But Daren failed to get past the second round in the following seven tournaments.
His form has improved recently and, in his last two outings, reached the last 16 of the Vietnam Open and the quarter-finals of the Proton Malaysian International Challenge.
“Next year will be crucial for the back-up singles players as they cannot rest on their laurels any more,” said Misbun.
“We cannot depend on the seniors forever and this group of youngsters need to improve fast to take over.
“The coaches will scrutinise the performances of this group of players in training and competitions.”
Besides Daren, the other back-up singles players in the running for selection in the Thomas Cup squad are Chong Wei Feng, Tan Chun Seang, Mohd Arif Latif and Chan Kwong Beng.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 2:42 PM.
Filed under
