Razif believes Soon Hock-Thien How should play in second doubles against S. Korea
News 9:06 AM
IT WILL not be a breeze playing against South Korea in a Thomas Cup tie and Malaysia could be in for an embarrassment if they throw caution to the wind.
Former national doubles star Razif Sidek said that there was a possibility of Malaysia meeting the unseeded South Koreans in the quarter-finals and it was important to field the right line-up for the doubles.
Razif felt that Ong Soon Hock-Hoon Thien How should be considered for the second doubles match instead of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif as Malaysia also need to go for the element of surprise against the unpredictable Koreans.
“The Koreans are likely to opt for Jung Jae-sung to combine with Shin Baek-cheol. They do not have the services of Lee Yong-dae but his partner, Jae-sung, is experienced and can partner anyone,” he said.
Playing doubles: Koo Kien Keat(left) partnering Lee Chong Wei during a training session at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil Tuesday. “If the seniors lose to the juniors in the last stages of preparation, something must be wrong with their strategy. What would happen then when the pressure is present in the actual match.
“That is why I feel the coaches should consider giving Soon Hock-Thien How the chance. They may be raring to go and they have showed their ability playing on home ground when they upset Yong-dae-Jae-jung in the Malaysian Open in January.”
If Soon Hock-Thien How are to be fielded, Razif hoped the coaches would inform them early and not at the last moment.
“The expectations will be high on whoever is playing and there should be no surprise element for the players,” he said.
Malaysia lost their opening group tie to South Korea when they last hosted the Thomas Cup Finals in 2000 and eventually failed to make the semi-finals.
However, Razif felt the current team have a better percentage of winning due to the good record enjoyed by respective world No. 1s Lee Chong Wei and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong whenever they play on Malaysian soil.
“Chong Wei is good for a point based on his current consistency against everyone over the last two years, except for China’s Lin Dan. He is unbeatable on home ground and should win the first match to soothe the nerves of his team-mates,” he said.
“Like Chong Wei, Kien Keat-Boon Heong have done well in home tournaments in the past. They are a proven pair but still inconsistent. But I think they should be able to overcome Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong if they are to meet again.
“We might lose the second singles unless Choong Hann can use his experience to pace the game against his younger rival (either Shon Wan-ho or Hong Ji-hoon).
“That’s why I feel the second doubles might be the deciding match.
“If we lose the second doubles, Mohd Hafiz Hashim will have to shoulder the challenge in the third singles and it depends whether he has the nerves to do so.
“He could take on Lee Hyun-il and I remember this South Korean as a fighter.
“Also don’t forget that South Korea have Li Mao, who was formerly coaching our players, and they can tap on his knowledge.”
Razif hoped the coaches have also done their homework, digging out information on Hyun-il’s latest condition now that he has been brought back for the Thomas Cup campaign.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:06 AM.
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