Heng Kheng-Yao Han on the brink of glory
News 11:57 PM
PETALING JAYA: Yew Heng Kheng-Ow Yao Han are one match away from becoming the country’s fifth doubles champions in the Asian Junior Championships.
If they can overcome Indonesians Pratama Angga-Sugiarto Yohanes Rendy in the final at Stadium Juara in Bukit Kiara today, the duo will follow in the footsteps of previous champions Chan Chong Ming-Jeremy Gan (1997), Chong Ming-Teo Kok Siang (1998), Koo Kien Keat-Ong Soon Hock (2002) and Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang (2008).
Yesterday, Heng Kheng-Yao Han were fully tested in their 21-17, 8-21, 21-16 semi-final win over South Korea’s Kang Ji-wook-Choi Seung-il. “They played with speed, forcing us into making unforced errors,” said Heng Kheng, who was grateful to the crowd for backing them in the rubber game.
“It was a tough game because of their style of play.
“But we managed to change our tactics in the rubber game,” added partner Yao Han.
Having beaten another Indonesian pair – Berry Anggriawan-Mohd Ulinnuha – in the quarter-finals on Friday, Yao Han believes they stand a good chance against Angga-Yohanes.
“We have seen video recordings of their games here and they play similar to Anggriawan-Ulinnuha. Both pairs attack a lot,” said Yao Han.
In the girls’ doubles, the newly-forged partnership of Ng Hui Ern-Lai Pei Jing finally came undone when they lost 25-23, 15-21, 21-15 in the semi-finals.
It was a creditable effort by the Malaysians considering the fact that they had only been paired up a few days before the tournament began.
“We were too confident after winning the first game.
“Then we lost our concentration and gave away too many points because of our mistakes,” said Hui Ern.
A clearly frustrated Pei Jing was in tears after the match.
“For a new pair, I think we did all right to have made it to the semi-final,” added Hui Ern.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 11:57 PM.
Filed under
