Tan Fook-Kien Keat strike it off in their first partnership
News 1:09 PM
IT was only their first appearance as a pair but Choong Tan Fook-Koo Kien Keat played as though they have been playing together for a long time in beating Shintaro Ikeda-Shuichi Sakamoto yesterday.
The duo broke the confidence of the formidable Japanese pair and won 21-13, 21-11 to give Malaysia a 2-0 lead in the quarter-final tie.
“It was our first outing in a competition. We certainly did well to complement each other,” said Kien Keat, adding in jest that 'maybe, we are both from Ipoh and could communicate in Cantonese'.
“All our doubles players are of the same standard. So, it is not difficult to just partner anyone.”
Both Kien Keat-Tan Fook admitted that they were surprised over the coaches' decision to pair them up against Japan.
“We were only informed about this in the morning. I was surprised but we knew this was the team's strategy and went all out to give our best,” said Kien Keat.
“We knew what was at stake. If we lose, this move will be questioned. But if we win, it will be applauded. And I am glad that we justified the coaches' decision.”
Kien Keat added that the element of surprise that Malaysia sprang in the double line-up proved to be the key to their clinical win over Japan.
“There was more pressure on them than us. There could have been more pressure on Boon Heong and I if we were fielded (in the first doubles). It's the same case for us. Sometimes, an unknown pair make it tougher for us,” he said.
Veteran Tan Fook was delighted that he could form a lethal partnership with the younger Kien Keat.
“Like Kien Keat, I was surprised. I wanted so badly to prove that this could work and fortunately, we won the important point,” he said.
“We played so fast that the Japanese could not keep up. Wan Wah and I are not as fast. It felt good to play like this. Malaysia now have the options to mix and match their doubles line-up. This is the extra weapon for us in this Finals.”
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 1:09 PM.
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