Quest for first world title by Koo-Tan ends in frustration
Koo Kien Keat, Tan Boon Heong, Top News 10:59 AM
THE lights went out on Malaysians Koo Kien Keat’s and Tan
Boon Heong’s hopes to become the country’s first world champions in the
glowing city of Paris yesterday.
The most awaited historic moment slipped through their fingers in a fighting 21-18, 18-21, 14-21 defeat by defending champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China in the men’s doubles final that lasted 63 minutes.
It was the third world title for Cai Yun-Haifeng and their victory gave China a clean sweep of the five titles at stake for the second time in the series after the 1987 championships in Beijing.
Completing the sweep:
China’s Cai Yun (bottom) and Fu Haifeng drop to their knees to celebrate
after beating Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the men’s
doubles final of the World Championships yesterday.
For
Malaysia, they settled for a fourth silver medal in the men’s doubles
since the championships were introduced in 1977.
Boon Heong admitted that they blew a golden chance to nail an elusive title for Malaysia.
“It’s not always that you get the chance to play in a final. We made the breakthrough but there was no happy ending for us,” lamented Boon Heong.
It all started so well for the world No. 1 against the Chinese, whom they have beaten in three of eight previous meetings.
In the first game, both pairs exchanged leads. They were levelled at 18-18 and the Malaysians showed great confidence and concentration to win it.
“It was great to get off to a good start but we got into problems in the second game. We were too eager to win and attacked without any game plan,” said Boon Heong.
The Chinese regained control and was on top of their game.
And each time the Malaysians inched closer, Cai Yun-Haifeng will hit home some superb winners to stay ahead.
The fans at the Pierre de Courbertin Stadium were mostly rooting for the Malaysians to upset the Chinese in the rubber game, but the Malaysians’ defence weakened while the Chinese grew stronger in attacks and went on to win the match.
“We lost our confidence in the third game. And it was too tough to fight back after trailing by a big margin,” said Boon Heong.
Kien Keat said that they would shift their concentration to the defence of the Asian Games title in Guangzhou in November.
“It is sad that we could not end the long wait for a world title for the country.
We were mentally prepared but it is unfortunate that we did not have a good finish,” he said.
“We were the Asian Games champions four years ago. We will go back and work towards hitting peak form in Guangzhou. Along the way, we also hope to do well in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games (October).”
The Malaysians will return home on Wednesday.
The most awaited historic moment slipped through their fingers in a fighting 21-18, 18-21, 14-21 defeat by defending champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China in the men’s doubles final that lasted 63 minutes.
It was the third world title for Cai Yun-Haifeng and their victory gave China a clean sweep of the five titles at stake for the second time in the series after the 1987 championships in Beijing.
Completing the sweep:
China’s Cai Yun (bottom) and Fu Haifeng drop to their knees to celebrate
after beating Malaysia’s Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the men’s
doubles final of the World Championships yesterday. Boon Heong admitted that they blew a golden chance to nail an elusive title for Malaysia.
“It’s not always that you get the chance to play in a final. We made the breakthrough but there was no happy ending for us,” lamented Boon Heong.
It all started so well for the world No. 1 against the Chinese, whom they have beaten in three of eight previous meetings.
In the first game, both pairs exchanged leads. They were levelled at 18-18 and the Malaysians showed great confidence and concentration to win it.
“It was great to get off to a good start but we got into problems in the second game. We were too eager to win and attacked without any game plan,” said Boon Heong.
The Chinese regained control and was on top of their game.
And each time the Malaysians inched closer, Cai Yun-Haifeng will hit home some superb winners to stay ahead.
The fans at the Pierre de Courbertin Stadium were mostly rooting for the Malaysians to upset the Chinese in the rubber game, but the Malaysians’ defence weakened while the Chinese grew stronger in attacks and went on to win the match.
“We lost our confidence in the third game. And it was too tough to fight back after trailing by a big margin,” said Boon Heong.
Kien Keat said that they would shift their concentration to the defence of the Asian Games title in Guangzhou in November.
“It is sad that we could not end the long wait for a world title for the country.
We were mentally prepared but it is unfortunate that we did not have a good finish,” he said.
“We were the Asian Games champions four years ago. We will go back and work towards hitting peak form in Guangzhou. Along the way, we also hope to do well in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games (October).”
The Malaysians will return home on Wednesday.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 10:59 AM.
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Tan Boon Heong,
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