Rexy wants Thien How-Zakry to believe in their own ability
Top News 2:35 PM
BATH: Doubles shuttlers Hoon Thien How-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif have shown good quality during their centralised training at the University of Bath.
Now, national coach Rexy Mainaky wants them to show no respect to their higher ranked opponents when they begin their challenge in the World Championships, which will begin at Wembley on Monday.
Rexy is happy with the commitment shown by Thien How-Zakry during training with two other pairs – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Lim Khim Wah-Chan Peng Soon – and sparring partners Mohd Lutfi Zaim Abdul Khalid- Vountus Indra Mawan and Tan Wee Kiong.
All eyes: Hoon Thien How (left) reaching for the shuttle as Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif looks on during a training session in Bath.
“They kept good pace and intensity in training. Based on their body language, I know they gave it all. I hope they will show the same spirit and mentality at Wembley,” said Rexy.
“Thien How-Zakry have the potential to do well but they must not show too much respect to their opponents. They must believe in themselves. Their preparation has been good ... it’s up to them now to translate it on court.”
The unseeded Thien How-Zakry have been drawn to meet 2005 world champions Tony Gunawan-Howard Bach of the United States in the first round.
Both are in the same top half with three-time world champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China, South Koreans Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung, Indonesia’s Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan, Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa, Taiwan’s Fang Chieh-min-Lee Sheng-mu and team-mates Khim Wah-Peng Soon.
If they get past Tony-Bach, their next big challenge may be against world and Olympic champions Markis-Hendra in the third round.
“The first round match will make all the difference for them. Tony-Howard are beatable,” said Rexy. “Our back-up pair of Vountus-Lutfi had beaten Markis-Hendra (at the Malaysian Grand Prix Gold in Kedah in June) and I hope Zakry-Thien How will also be able to get past the Indonesians.”
Debutant Thien How has warned that he would fear no one in his bid to make a mark with Zakry at the world meet.
“There is no point worrying about your opponents. We are ready to face anyone,” he said.
The 25-year-old Thien How has done well so far this year, reaching the quarter-finals with Zakry at the All-England and stunning Yong-dae-Jae-sung with Boon Heong in the Sudirman Cup in May.
Posted by Lucas Liau
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