Koo and Tan go down fighting to Korean pair in Taiwan Open semis
News, Top News 9:03 AM
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s top men’s doubles pair Koo Kien
Keat-Tan Boon Heong brought back some element of excitement that had
been missing in their game but it was not good enough to take them into
the final of the Taiwan Open.
In the semi-finals yesterday, they showed great determination, courage and fighting spirit in a 23-21, 18-21, 17-21 defeat by formidable South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung.
It was their eighth defeat in two years by the Koreans. But the ability of Kien Keat-Boon Heong to complement each other better and play with great confidence put them on a good platform ahead of the world championships, which will be held in Paris from Aug 23-29.
The 24-year-old Kien Keat said that a flurry of unforced errors separated them from the Koreans yesterday.
Courageous: Koo
Kien Keat (right) and Tan Boon Heong displayed excitement that had been
missing from their game in the 21-23, 21-18, 21-17 defeat by South
Korea’s Lee Yongdae- Jung Jae-sung yesterday.
“I would
say that we were better in our tactical approach against them today. We
are equal on the attacking and defensive game. But we were just made
more mistakes than them,” he said in a telephone interview from Taipeh.
Indeed, the Malaysians went through a few brief spells of poor shots.
They led 16-11 in the opening game but several sloppy returns at the front saw the Koreans levelling at 17-17. Fortunately, the Malaysians pulled through.
The string of errors were repeated in the second game and in the rubber and it resulted in the Malaysians, who are the top seeds in the world championships, trooping out as the losers.
“This Korean pair are the seventh seeds in the world meet. We hope to avoid meeting them earlier. But if we do meet them, we will certainly have to be more consistent in our game” said Kien Keat.
He admitted that there was a difference in their game and attitude since crashing out in every other tournament since winning the Malaysian Open in January.
“We have a correct mind set now and our confidence is back. Physically, we are in good shape,” said Kien Keat.
“But we are looking forward to more training to further brush up on our game ahead of the world championships.”
Kien Keat-Boon Heong will return home today and they will leave for the Bath University in England on Wednesday for an isolation centralised training with the other Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) players before they head for Paris.
Coach Pang Cheh Chang, who has been working with these players for more than a month, especially on physical fitness, said: “Koo and Tan are certainly on their way back to top. Koo has found his touches at the front while Boon Heong is faster than usual.
“In a way, a defeat here is a blessing. It will make them want the world title even more. There is work to be done in the final tune-up for the world championships. We will help them to more consistent.”
In the semi-finals yesterday, they showed great determination, courage and fighting spirit in a 23-21, 18-21, 17-21 defeat by formidable South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung.
It was their eighth defeat in two years by the Koreans. But the ability of Kien Keat-Boon Heong to complement each other better and play with great confidence put them on a good platform ahead of the world championships, which will be held in Paris from Aug 23-29.
The 24-year-old Kien Keat said that a flurry of unforced errors separated them from the Koreans yesterday.
Courageous: Koo
Kien Keat (right) and Tan Boon Heong displayed excitement that had been
missing from their game in the 21-23, 21-18, 21-17 defeat by South
Korea’s Lee Yongdae- Jung Jae-sung yesterday. Indeed, the Malaysians went through a few brief spells of poor shots.
They led 16-11 in the opening game but several sloppy returns at the front saw the Koreans levelling at 17-17. Fortunately, the Malaysians pulled through.
The string of errors were repeated in the second game and in the rubber and it resulted in the Malaysians, who are the top seeds in the world championships, trooping out as the losers.
“This Korean pair are the seventh seeds in the world meet. We hope to avoid meeting them earlier. But if we do meet them, we will certainly have to be more consistent in our game” said Kien Keat.
He admitted that there was a difference in their game and attitude since crashing out in every other tournament since winning the Malaysian Open in January.
“We have a correct mind set now and our confidence is back. Physically, we are in good shape,” said Kien Keat.
“But we are looking forward to more training to further brush up on our game ahead of the world championships.”
Kien Keat-Boon Heong will return home today and they will leave for the Bath University in England on Wednesday for an isolation centralised training with the other Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) players before they head for Paris.
Coach Pang Cheh Chang, who has been working with these players for more than a month, especially on physical fitness, said: “Koo and Tan are certainly on their way back to top. Koo has found his touches at the front while Boon Heong is faster than usual.
“In a way, a defeat here is a blessing. It will make them want the world title even more. There is work to be done in the final tune-up for the world championships. We will help them to more consistent.”
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 9:03 AM.
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