Badminton: Fitter, meaner Lee
By RAJES PAUL


PETALING JAYA: The smile is back on the country's top men's singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei after going through three weeks of a punishing training regime under the charge of Misbun Sidek.
And now that he had gained a little more confidence in his game, Chong Wei hopes to score a first this year – by reaching the semi-finals in either the Singapore Open or Indonesian Open.
The Singapore Open starts tomorrow with the qualifying tournament. And the Indonesian Open will be held in Jakarta the following week.
Chong Wei, who left for Singapore with his team-mates yesterday, has not got past the quarter-finals of an international tournament thus far this year.
He is aware that making the semi-finals will not be an easy task because he has in his quarter of the draw world number one Lin Dan in both tournaments.
In the Singapore Open, Chong Wei takes on Mohd Hafiz Hashim in the opening round. In the Indonesian Open, Chong Wei opens his campaign against Denmark's Joachim Persson and could meet either Hafiz or Indonesian Simon Santoso in the second round.
“The early rounds will not be easy in both tournaments. But if I can put into practice what I have improved on in training under Misbun over the last three weeks, I can get through,” said Chong Wei.
“The toughest challenge will most likely be against Lin Dan. If I meet him, I will try to keep up with his pace this time.”
After walking around with his head held low following uninspiring performances since early this year, the world number five player Chong Wei said that he was getting his old feeling back.
“I feel happy because I am getting what I want in training. There has been slight improvement on my speed. Misbun has been sharpening my attacking skills as well,” he said.
“I was mopping over my poor performances and I lost my confidence. I may not be at my best yet as there are still a few areas that I need to improve on but I am heading in the right direction.
“It has been long since I last reached the semi-finals of an international tournament. Let's see whether I can pull it off this time. I just want some good results before the World Championships (Aug 13-19 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil).”
Chong Wei's self-doubt and loss of confidence started after he lost to Bao Chunlai of China in the last eight of the World meet in Madrid last year.
Prior to that he had an impressive string of titles, which included winning the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, Swiss Open, Asian Championships and the Malaysian Open in the first half of last year. En route to Singapore yesterday, Chong Wei and his team-mates did some promotional work for the World Championships. They stopped at the Ayer Keroh rest area along the North-South Highway and distributed pamphlets on the championships and also met the fans.

good to hear lcw getting some of his 'touch' back. If he gets past 1st,2nd round and somehow manage to beat LD it would do his confidence a world of good

All talk.... again.

:D All talk.... again.

The problem is even though Malaysians talk a lot, Chinese take it for granted their players will win every match. Remember FU-CAI, they were spposed to be invincible but all the 'talking' by the Malaysians finally came through. FU-CAI are now not confident when they get beaten by KKK-TBH so many times. Come the 2nd game, you can tell they act like they have lost their confidence.

Without talk, there will be no action. I can tell you this, if LD is not anywhere near his best, expect no quarters from LCW. He is now conditioned to be at his sharpest. We might see a change in the winds my friend. LCW, TH, PG, and KJ are there to make sure Chinese will not have it easy ! Feel the fear and expect to lose so you will not be too disappointed in the end !:D

What do I mean by that ? If you cast your mind back to the MO when LD was beaten narrowly, I expect this to be the result...a narrow victory for LCW. Don't take things for granted

Lee Chong Wei is usually quite humble so I believe he has regained some of his confidence back under Misbun's tutoring. It won't be easy to achieve the goal advance to SF as he has to overcome Lin Dan in QF. There's a lot of uncertainty too about Lin Dan, how's his recovery after sustained an injury from Swiss Open?
Anyway, hope thing goes well for Malaysians!

I don't think LCW will immediately beat LD in S'pore Open, but it would be good to start getting back in the groove, maybe to force LD to play rubber sets. LCW needs a lot of work (physically and mentally) before he can be on equal terms with LD/Taufik/Gade again and beat other CHN top players.

Yes, i agree with abedeng, if he could improve from what he showed in ABC,..that good enought, step by step ....i am confident he 'boleh' to be among top 4 in the world,...........

Boleh LCW! :D

I'm really pleased that it sounds like he has regained some of his confidence.

Boleh LCW! :D

I'm really pleased that it sounds like he has regained some of his confidence.

Well, we have 2 more days to think he's back to the old form before the reality hit :D

I hope LCW gets his old form back, I don't think any of the top singles players have defensive qualities like his. And he's got a pretty deadly jump smash.

I hope LCW gets his old form back, I don't think any of the top singles players have defensive qualities like his. And he's got a pretty deadly jump smash.

Gone are the days when you can beat more talented adversaries using defensive qualities alone. Players with styles like Ardy Wiranata, Foo Kok Keong and Xiong Guobao would not be able to achieve much. Just look at Kenneth Jonassen and Roslin, still among the top, but hardly winning any tournament.

Gone are the days when you can beat more talented adversaries using defensive qualities alone. Players with styles like Ardy Wiranata, Foo Kok Keong and Xiong Guobao would not be able to achieve much. Just look at Kenneth Jonassen and Roslin, still among the top, but hardly winning any tournament.

so true, and that is why LD is NO.1.
The most effective defense is to attack.

lcw got toasted on the first round.
more proof that misbun's training is not effective.
With li mao, lcw at least gets to the quarter or semi

so many upsets today at SO...from Chen Hong, LCW, Zhu Lin ,Lulan ( all chinese girls losing 2 sets..),KKK/TBH, Kellog/blair...even Ping Hong Yan almost lost to Zhou Mi.....good for badminton...

lcw got toasted on the first round.
more proof that misbun's training is not effective.
With li mao, lcw at least gets to the quarter or semi

LOL, what are you talking about man ? LCW lost to Hafiz, both trained by Misbun. Hafiz was so motivated, he stretched beyond his normal self to win. If anything, I think Misbun has done a good job with Hafiz. And LCW is coming back nicely, losing to Hafiz is no shame in this case.

yeah. i think they played well. both of them. it was a close match right up to the end.

LOL, what are you talking about man ? LCW lost to Hafiz, both trained by Misbun. Hafiz was so motivated, he stretched beyond his normal self to win. If anything, I think Misbun has done a good job with Hafiz. And LCW is coming back nicely, losing to Hafiz is no shame in this case.


Always tough to play teammates...as they know their style in training like TH had to beat Tommy in very close sets....
The problem is LCW can not get confident back easily...again in Indo open, he will meet hafiz or Simon again...
anyway Hafiz needed this win to prove he is as good as LCW....really bad draw for both of them to meet earlier...just like TH vs LD in Malay open

It's ok losing to your teammates sometimes, good for competition.

Anyway, from the match, one thing that LCW needs to improve further is finishing, he led 19-16 in rubber before surrendering initiative to Hafiz.

Also goes to show that Hafiz is not weak minded when cornered, he is more than capable of fighting back. Only problem with him is consistency.

It's ok losing to your teammates sometimes, good for competition.

Anyway, from the match, one thing that LCW needs to improve further is finishing, he led 19-16 in rubber before surrendering initiative to Hafiz.

Also goes to show that Hafiz is not weak minded when cornered, he is more than capable of fighting back. Only problem with him is consistency.

Totally agree with you that it is ok losing to teammates, especially a strong teammate like Hafiz, who can go on to play well. I am looking forward to see how Hafiz play next.

It's ok losing to your teammates sometimes, good for competition.

Anyway, from the match, one thing that LCW needs to improve further is finishing, he led 19-16 in rubber before surrendering initiative to Hafiz.

Also goes to show that Hafiz is not weak minded when cornered, he is more than capable of fighting back. Only problem with him is consistency.
Agree. Looked like LCW underestimated Hafiz and practised energy conservation to his loss. LCW should just forget about energy conservation because he needs to play with fire to get fired up. Go all out right from the start or be out. He's carrying too much fuel and needs to burn them fast.
And he needs to train for closing.It's like sales closing.Needs to be practised until it's second nature so there's no need to think about it.Of course it's not that simple but what's there to lose when the record is so bad.
But I'm delighted for Hafiz.This win will boost his confidence and I hope it also means he's in good shape.
Meantime, it's nice of LCW to give hafiz an early wedding present. Hope he takes some time out to shop and appreciate some of Loh's tourism efforts. It'll help him to be fresher for IO.Enjoy your early break, LCW!

Hahaha as I predicted... LCW could not beat Hafiz :cool:

Hahaha as I predicted... LCW could not beat Hafiz :cool:

Volcom, you are a CHAMP !:D

Totally agree with you that it is ok losing to teammates, especially a strong teammate like Hafiz, who can go on to play well. I am looking forward to see how Hafiz play next.

strong team mate?:confused::confused::p:p

what could i say more......now it is even okay to lose to our famous yoyo brother (maybe later KBH too). pls dun bash me, the supporters of lcw, but im pretty amazed how some of you can serve the readily made excuses for lcw, time after time.......consistently.

Hahaha as I predicted... LCW could not beat Hafiz :cool:so what????????????

what could i say more......now it is even okay to lose to our famous yoyo brother (maybe later KBH too). pls dun bash me, the supporters of lcw, but im pretty amazed how some of you can serve the readily made excuses for lcw, time after time.......consistently.

Think on the positive side, at least we have 2 players now equally "strong" :D (half full vs half empty theory, depending on how you look at it)

LCW is fit and mean, but he still lacks the mental strength??? his poor finishing in every game is the proof.

LCW is fit and mean, but he still lacks the mental strength??? his poor finishing in every game is the proof.
but how do u explain when he clawed his way back to beat LD in MO '06? are u going to say that he is just lucky? so maybe can we say that he is unlucky for the time being??? hrmmm..... :confused::confused::confused::confused:

Volcom, you are a CHAMP !:D
smells like sarcasm here... :cool::cool::cool::cool:

Fate has it that if Hafiz and LCW both go thru round 1 in IO, they will meet again in round 2!

Fate has it that if Hafiz and LCW both go thru round 1 in IO, they will meet again in round 2!
somehow, i got a feeling that LCW will prevail this time.... :D

but how do u explain when he clawed his way back to beat LD in MO '06? are u going to say that he is just lucky? so maybe can we say that he is unlucky for the time being??? hrmmm..... :confused::confused::confused::confused:

how many times can he claw back and win Lin Dan???? and how many times he lost when nearing victory???? LCW skills are ok, but his mental strength is a major problem.

how many times can he claw back and win Lin Dan???? and how many times he lost when nearing victory???? LCW skills are ok, but his mental strength is a major problem.
well, it all depend on him.... :D

i can say that LCW is really really lucky in winning the MO 06. I wonder what happen to Lin Dan as he keep sending the shuttle out. If LCW opponent is Taufik, LCW does not have any chance to fight back. recently, taufik keeps defeating LCW easily in straight sets in the asian games and ABC. LCW from 2006 is totally different from LCW 2007. in 2006, he is the guy who always meet lin dan in finals. other chinese players have no chance of beating him. but, after the world championship, his game suffered. LCW need to look back on how he was so successful in the past and do it the same way again.

i can say that LCW is really really lucky in winning the MO 06. I wonder what happen to Lin Dan as he keep sending the shuttle out. If LCW opponent is Taufik, LCW does not have any chance to fight back. recently, taufik keeps defeating LCW easily in straight sets in the asian games and ABC. LCW from 2006 is totally different from LCW 2007. in 2006, he is the guy who always meet lin dan in finals. other chinese players have no chance of beating him. but, after the world championship, his game suffered. LCW need to look back on how he was so successful in the past and do it the same way again.
haha maybe is it time for him???? hope not... :)

haha maybe is it time for him???? hope not... :)

LCW time is not up yet. if his time is up, hafiz will be malaysia no.1.. :crying: i rather LCW stays back than seeing hafiz become the king of malaysia. :) we really cannot rely on hafiz. he did well to win the AE but since then, everything is gone. instead, we should say that hafiz's time is up..

LCW time is not up yet. if his time is up, hafiz will be malaysia no.1.. :crying: i rather LCW stays back than seeing hafiz become the king of malaysia. :) we really cannot rely on hafiz. he did well to win the AE but since then, everything is gone. instead, we should say that hafiz's time is up..
hafiz's time is up?? my goodness.. den beng hong and the other's time is long up..... fuh... unbelievable.. but believe it... seems like Mas MS is reli in a hot furnace now.... :D

hafiz's time is up?? my goodness.. den beng hong and the other's time is long up..... fuh... unbelievable.. but believe it... seems like Mas MS is reli in a hot furnace now.... :D

it's really the truth. our juniors excel too late. look at China's Chen Jin, Bao Chunlai, Lin Dan and Indonesia's Taufik. they bloomed very early. in malaysia, these players are still studying and go full time after finishing form 5. this is too late. our juniors need to work VERY VERY VERY hard to narrow the gap. i dislike watching our seniors losing all the time.

owh well... just mas is more or less kinda like sin... studies comes first! :D

owh well... just mas is more or less kinda like sin... studies comes first! :D

it's true that studies come first. my hometown coach consistently produces state champions but guess what he told me??? he said, ' i always tell my students to play badminton for fun and never go to bukit jalil sports school. if you go there, your studies will zoom down. it is really hard to earn a living from badminton unless you are very very very good.'

it's true that studies come first. my hometown coach consistently produces state champions but guess what he told me??? he said, ' i always tell my students to play badminton for fun and never go to bukit jalil sports school. if you go there, your studies will zoom down. it is really hard to earn a living from badminton unless you are very very very good.'

yeah thats true.

it's true that studies come first. my hometown coach consistently produces state champions but guess what he told me??? he said, ' i always tell my students to play badminton for fun and never go to bukit jalil sports school. if you go there, your studies will zoom down. it is really hard to earn a living from badminton unless you are very very very good.'

And that is why it is cruel to criticize too much the players. They could very well end up with nothing -- I sympathize with players like KBH, YKB, ISMAN, etc. So much effort/sacrifice for so little.

While we derive the thrills from watching them, we must give back to them in terms of encouragement and support. To ostracise them when they are down, I think it is inhuman.

:) ;)

the problem in malaysia is that we have Good junior players but we do not have Excellent junior players. our junior players achive results locally but cannot achieve good results internationally. it is hard to break into national team too. how many of the BJSS students can actually replace LCW in singles?? if you are good, don't join our national squad. join only if you are the best and excellent.

And that is why it is cruel to criticize too much the players. They could very well end up with nothing -- I sympathize with players like KBH, YKB, ISMAN, etc. So much effort/sacrifice for so little.

While we derive the thrills from watching them, we must give back to them in terms of encouragement and support. To ostracise them when they are down, I think it is inhuman.

:) ;)

we can tolerate these players for a short time only. how many times we have to spoonfeed our players if they fail time after time? one day, our players need to show the results. YKB started showing some results recently in ABC and i'm looking forward to his performance in IO. regarding KBH, he took part consistently in many Super Series but he also lost consistenly. Club players such as Sairul and Tsuen Seng are good, but they are not good enough. Malaysia is able to produce 10 good players but unable to produce 1 world champion. that's the problem. the solution is to look into the roots. start focusing on state players and BJSS players and start them young with the correct mentality. we will learn and accept guidance better when we are young especially in badminton.

And that is why it is cruel to criticize too much the players. They could very well end up with nothing -- I sympathize with players like KBH, YKB, ISMAN, etc. So much effort/sacrifice for so little.

While we derive the thrills from watching them, we must give back to them in terms of encouragement and support. To ostracise them when they are down, I think it is inhuman.

:) ;)
i second that!!! :D

we can tolerate these players for a short time only. how many times we have to spoonfeed our players if they fail time after time? one day, our players need to show the results. YKB started showing some results recently in ABC and i'm looking forward to his performance in IO. regarding KBH, he took part consistently in many Super Series but he also lost consistenly. Club players such as Sairul and Tsuen Seng are good, but they are not good enough. Malaysia is able to produce 10 good players but unable to produce 1 world champion. that's the problem. the solution is to look into the roots. start focusing on state players and BJSS players and start them young with the correct mentality. we will learn and accept guidance better when we are young especially in badminton.
Good players != World Champions... gotta live with tat pal.... :D

its MAS trademark to reach FINAL and fell... :D no idea how to help tat situation.... recent eg.: CTF/LWW :D

the problem in malaysia is that we have Good junior players but we do not have Excellent junior players. our junior players achive results locally but cannot achieve good results internationally. it is hard to break into national team too. how many of the BJSS students can actually replace LCW in singles?? if you are good, don't join our national squad. join only if you are the best and excellent.

I think like every sport one needs to dedicate onself fully to achieve and you cannot do it in the normal schools, it has to be a special school like Bukit Jalil Sports School where one can specialise.

Yes, there is no guarantee in life as in everything whether it is sports or in any other career. No matter what, LCW will be replaced in the end when he gets old, and another player will step up. Once given the opportunity, any player can step up. Over the years Malaysia has seen many top players come and go. I can see players that can potentially replace LCW in 5 years time, Mohd Arif Latif is one, Tan Chun Seang is another. Give them two more years, they will be ready. Rashid was right in saying his players would not be ready until 2010 (LCW should still be around till then). No worries !

the problem in malaysia is that we have Good junior players but we do not have Excellent junior players. our junior players achive results locally but cannot achieve good results internationally. it is hard to break into national team too. how many of the BJSS students can actually replace LCW in singles?? if you are good, don't join our national squad. join only if you are the best and excellent.
1 out of 10... if lucky...

I think like every sport one needs to dedicate onself fully to achieve and you cannot do it in the normal schools, it has to be a special school like Bukit Jalil Sports School where one can specialise.

Yes, there is no guarantee in life as in everything whether it is sports or in any other career. No matter what, LCW will be replaced in the end when he gets old, and another player will step up. Once given the opportunity, any player can step up. Over the years Malaysia has seen many top players come and go. I can see players that can potentially replace LCW in 5 years time, Mohd Arif Latif is one, Tan Chun Seang is another. Give them two more years, they will be ready. Rashid was right in saying his players would not be ready until 2010 (LCW should still be around till then). No worries !
i think Tan Chun Seang will be the one.... hopefully... it wont be easy for him but i hope can make it.... same goes to Liew Daren... :D

Rashid was right in saying his players would not be ready until 2010 (LCW should still be around till then). No worries !

Rashid is under ambitious. Chen Jin, Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Taufik, Peter, Boonsak started winning internationally before their 20s. in 2010, our juniors will be 24 years old. a little bit late to start winning. i don't wish to see our juniors becoming chen yu or kenneth jonassen who bloom at a late age. Rashid 2010 project squad is too slow. other than the project squad, arif latif can go far because he is still young.

we can tolerate these players for a short time only. how many times we have to spoonfeed our players if they fail time after time? one day, our players need to show the results. YKB started showing some results recently in ABC and i'm looking forward to his performance in IO. regarding KBH, he took part consistently in many Super Series but he also lost consistenly. Club players such as Sairul and Tsuen Seng are good, but they are not good enough. Malaysia is able to produce 10 good players but unable to produce 1 world champion. that's the problem. the solution is to look into the roots. start focusing on state players and BJSS players and start them young with the correct mentality. we will learn and accept guidance better when we are young especially in badminton.

For all you know Jack, everyone of them have put in their best and still hope to go beyond. If they were not good enough and still want to try, I will let them until someone has the potential to replace them.

We don't sack people just because they are average, we encourage them to do better. I know you are going to say they have been around too often but nobody else is good enough to take over yet. For example, I read in the papers today with LCW reportedly saying that he is still the Malaysian no.1 - he was alluding to the fact that unless someone replaces him at no.1, he is not going to be worried too much.

If the players are still trying hard, you give them that chance until such time they give up themselves (remembering they are not paid a RM 1M to hang around, they get pittance!).

Rashid is under ambitious. Chen Jin, Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Taufik, Peter, Boonsak started winning internationally before their 20s. in 2010, our juniors will be 24 years old. a little bit late to start winning. i don't wish to see our juniors becoming chen yu or kenneth jonassen who bloom at a late age. Rashid 2010 project squad is too slow. other than the project squad, arif latif can go far because he is still young.

If you start them too young they will not stay. The pressure may be too much. 20-22 is about right to launch their careers, that is when everybody starts work. A good player, treated right, can extend his career to 30 (look at Gade and our own WCH). WCH should give up the idea of retiring if he feels good playing on. Some people are constitutionally strong even past 30 !

For all you know Jack, everyone of them have put in their best and still hope to go beyond. If they were not good enough and still want to try, I will let them until someone has the potential to replace them.

We don't sack people just because they are average, we encourage them to do better. I know you are going to say they have been around too often but nobody else is good enough to take over yet. For example, I read in the papers today with LCW reportedly saying that he is still the Malaysian no.1 - he was alluding to the fact that unless someone replaces him at no.1, he is not going to be worried too much.

If the players are still trying hard, you give them that chance until such time they give up themselves (remembering they are not paid a RM 1M to hang around, they get pittance!).

our BAM is soft while China is autocratic. it's sad we use the soft way. and we can see the results. china has 4 single players in top 5. and we are always saying, 'never mind, try again'. we pampered our players a lot. our players always get what they want but they never return it to us during competitions. BAM allows free passengers in national team, especially the singles. you are right, no junior can overtake these seniors. but why not we start looking at the juniors so that in another 2 years time, they can overtake the seniors? in another 2 years time, the seniors still be 26, 28 or 30 years old. should we wait for the seniors?? my point here is, look at better choices rather than stick to the current players. this is the success factor for China. if you are good, you are in. if you can't perform, out you go. talent is not a problem in malaysia. we have a big pool of youngsters from Project 2010, BJSS and even Badminton Academy. it depends on how to shape these juniors. it will be a waste if we turn a blind eye to these juniors but continue cheating ourselves that one day our senior singles players will show us the results. BAM really need to do something!!!

If you start them too young they will not stay. The pressure may be too much. 20-22 is about right to launch their careers, that is when everybody starts work. A good player, treated right, can extend his career to 30 (look at Gade and our own WCH). WCH should give up the idea of retiring if he feels good playing on. Some people are constitutionally strong even past 30 !
Peter Gade and Wong Choon Hann started very early before their 20s. in the past, Peter is always the world no.1 and Taufik is always the world no.2. Wong Choon Hann was always the number 3 in Malaysia behind Ong Ewe Hock and Yong Hock Kin. Peter and Wong has a very great history since their early 20s. if our juniors start at 24 in year 2010, what are their excuse for losing? Rashid will say, 'Oh, not enough experience'. Peter, Taufik, Wong, Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai suffered a hard time losing during their early 20s, but today, they are great.
the problem in Malaysia is, we treated our players TOO WELL till they can advance their career even after their 30s. what is veteran roslin doing now? too free till he wants to demand compensation from BAM. i will rather see our juniors improve and start sparring with lee chong wei. after one year, we can see the results.

our BAM is soft while China is autocratic. it's sad we use the soft way. and we can see the results. china has 4 single players in top 5. and we are always saying, 'never mind, try again'. we pampered our players a lot. our players always get what they want but they never return it to us during competitions. BAM allows free passengers in national team, especially the singles. you are right, no junior can overtake these seniors. but why not we start looking at the juniors so that in another 2 years time, they can overtake the seniors? in another 2 years time, the seniors still be 26, 28 or 30 years old. should we wait for the seniors?? my point here is, look at better choices rather than stick to the current players. this is the success factor for China. if you are good, you are in. if you can't perform, out you go. talent is not a problem in malaysia. we have a big pool of youngsters from Project 2010, BJSS and even Badminton Academy. it depends on how to shape these juniors. it will be a waste if we turn a blind eye to these juniors but continue cheating ourselves that one day our senior singles players will show us the results. BAM really need to do something!!!

You got to understand, if we throw in the youngsters now, everyone's head would be on the chopping block. You cannot just dump the seniors while they can still perform, even if it was to a certain level and while the juniors still don't get past first qualifying. I know I, as a fan, would yell.

In any case, we are already practising what you preach. The juniors are hitting the road, did you not see the youngsters being sent to ABC and SO. More would go to IO and other places to xperience and to 'break thru'. Until then, I would still like to see YKB, Sairul, KBH, SAMAN, try their best (not just LCW, HAFIZ or WCH).

You got to understand, if we throw in the youngsters now, everyone's head would be on the chopping block. You cannot just dump the seniors while they can still perform, even if it was to a certain level and while the juniors still don't get past first qualifying.

i rather we suffer from our juniors losing now rather than having no good singles players in the future. we need to pay a price for success in future. similarly, in football, Sir Alex rebuilt his whole team last year but this year, MU is strong and will get better. it's the same. if we promote our juniors, they will have more motivation. if rashid said his players will not be ready until 2010, what will the players do? sit down and wait till 2010 to perform. i do really admire China for being able to produce strong singles players. malaysia never had a world singles champion before. hopefully, one day, we can be proud.

Until then, I would still like to see YKB, Sairul, KBH, SAMAN, try their best (not just LCW, HAFIZ or WCH).

from the list above, I will vote for YKB. Sairul, KBH, Saman are... erm... we know it.. YKB only needs to polish his attacking play and he will be good.

from the list above, I will vote for YKB. Sairul, KBH, Saman are... erm... we know it.. YKB only needs to polish his attacking play and he will be good.

YKB is a surprise. He seems to be coming back, sort of a Boonsak but not quite. But you see that is what I mean. These players have thrown in a lot of effort to get back up. It is tough out there with LD, PG, KJ, TH, and now Boonsak 'ruling the boards'. If they keep trying, I am prepared to 'shout' for them during the matches.

YKB is a surprise. He seems to be coming back, sort of a Boonsak but not quite. But you see that is what I mean. These players have thrown in a lot of effort to get back up. It is tough out there with LD, PG, KJ, TH, and now Boonsak 'ruling the boards'. If they keep trying, I am prepared to 'shout' for them during the matches.

if you follow YKB closely, you will realise he has very good footwork since the past. Indra Gunawan praised him too. after morten frost came, YKB's game is gone. YKB never bounce back under li mao. it was after LCW left Tat Meng, finally YKB has the opportunity to show his worth. i do like YKB. under Tat Meng, i hope WCH and YKB can make us proud. under Misbun, erm, i think only LCW can make us proud. i forgot the other player who is under misbun. For next year thomas cup, i wish to see LCW, WCH and YKB in our singles line up. for other players, they must prove to us first before earning our trust. right??

if you follow YKB closely, you will realise he has very good footwork since the past. Indra Gunawan praised him too. after morten frost came, YKB's game is gone. YKB never bounce back under li mao. it was after LCW left Tat Meng, finally YKB has the opportunity to show his worth. i do like YKB. under Tat Meng, i hope WCH and YKB can make us proud. under Misbun, erm, i think only LCW can make us proud. i forgot the other player who is under misbun. For next year thomas cup, i wish to see LCW, WCH and YKB in our singles line up. for other players, they must prove to us first before earning our trust. right??
So you now see the good that has come out from LCW's choice of Misbun as coach. It means WTM has to focus on WCH and YKB and the results are showing. If LCW had been under WTM, YKB wouldn't get the attention he has now.This is turning out to be a win-win situation and I'm happy for WTM, WCH and YKB.
As for LCW, Boonsak's victories should tell Misbun that LCW would win if he has the pre match strategies right. Boonsak played three different ways with three different opponents and the strategies are so simple and easy to execute that Misbun would never have thought of them! Keep things simple for LCW so he can fire away.Keep it simple, Misbun.

So you now see the good that has come out from LCW's choice of Misbun as coach. It means WTM has to focus on WCH and YKB and the results are showing. If LCW had been under WTM, YKB wouldn't get the attention he has now.This is turning out to be a win-win situation and I'm happy for WTM, WCH and YKB.
As for LCW, Boonsak's victories should tell Misbun that LCW would win if he has the pre match strategies right. Boonsak played three different ways with three different opponents and the strategies are so simple and easy to execute that Misbun would never have thought of them! Keep things simple for LCW so he can fire away.Keep it simple, Misbun.

from what you are implying, Boonsak's coach is a tactician. that's why Boonsak won. LCW follows Misbun's strategy during matches. LCW lost can be due to Misbun's wrong strategy or he himself is not following the strategy. which one do you think??
LCW can go far if he has the right coach. LCW has no problem with his skills. the problem comes during crucial stages of every match. Misbun should improve on that aspect.
Wong Tat Meng did a good job in WCH and YKB. at least now, other players are performing rather than LCW alone.

from what you are implying, Boonsak's coach is a tactician. that's why Boonsak won. LCW follows Misbun's strategy during matches. LCW lost can be due to Misbun's wrong strategy or he himself is not following the strategy. which one do you think??
LCW can go far if he has the right coach. LCW has no problem with his skills. the problem comes during crucial stages of every match. Misbun should improve on that aspect.
Wong Tat Meng did a good job in WCH and YKB. at least now, other players are performing rather than LCW alone.
happy to see that YKB is trying to put in a fight.. but i dun thinkn its enough.. his attacking power is just now there.. his skills i must say its good.. or maybe i think what mas players are lacking of is fitness.. they just cant cope up in the crucial stages and this may give extra advantage to the opponent....

happy to see that YKB is trying to put in a fight.. but i dun thinkn its enough.. his attacking power is just now there.. his skills i must say its good.. or maybe i think what mas players are lacking of is fitness.. they just cant cope up in the crucial stages and this may give extra advantage to the opponent....

the strange thing is, he never won big matches in straight sets. he always drag to rubber set. too bad he lost to bao chun lai. anyway, bao chun lai is good and there is no blame on YKB.

LCW needs to gain his confidence back..we need sum miracles out here :p

LCW's career revival will depend on today's match against Bao. if LCW wins, this is a good sign for the upcoming WC.

LCW's career revival will depend on today's match against Bao. if LCW wins, this is a good sign for the upcoming WC.

I rate LCW chances at 40% because BCL is especially good when he is in form. BCL's height will also be a huge advantage as well.

However, I do agree there is a spring now in LCW's game. His cutting edge is back, but I think he should put on a few kilos. The boy is a little skinny, dont you think so?

I rate LCW chances at 40% because BCL is especially good when he is in form. BCL's height will also be a huge advantage as well.

However, I do agree there is a spring now in LCW's game. His cutting edge is back, but I think he should put on a few kilos. The boy is a little skinny, dont you think so?

he is skinny. we can see that from his face.

he is skinny. we can see that from his face.

Misbun should put the boy on an intensive weight and muscle gain program.

Misbun should put the boy on an intensive weight and muscle gain program.
He used to be skinny but now he's more sinewy if you see him in person. Only his face is skinny. I don't know about the weight program but his frame probably give him the advantage in speed.He's no. 1 in speed.Why lose that? It's an awesome weapon.

He used to be skinny but now he's more sinewy if you see him in person. Only his face is skinny. I don't know about the weight program but his frame probably give him the advantage in speed.He's no. 1 in speed.Why lose that? It's an awesome weapon.

A little more weight and muscles will give him more power in his game. In today's singles, you cant just depend on speed alone. The new scoring system favours attacking play. And if you have power in your attacks, you will have more advantage.

LCW physique shape is better this time. he looks more masculine and fitter. diet control is important. continue improving, LCW.

i think badminton players should be a bit on the skinny side. with good muscle tone that is. and LCW seems to have that. though the current scoring system might favour attacking game, i still believe speed and tactic plays a bigger role if not the same as power. since using a lot of power throughout the match will result in drainage of energy. so speed and tactic will play a crucial role. i guess LCW transition period after changing coach has finally come to a conclusion. like tiger woods whose form dropped a bit when he decided to change his swing, LCW might have been going through the same thing when he changes coach and untimately his style of play. :D hopefully better days to come for lee chong wei.

A little more weight and muscles will give him more power in his game. In today's singles, you cant just depend on speed alone. The new scoring system favours attacking play. And if you have power in your attacks, you will have more advantage.'
Power is great to see but is no use if it's not effective (ie converts into points) Boonsak showed that his smash is not powerful but effective because of quick timing and clever placement.
What do you think of LCW's smashes against BCL? (He did not depend on speed alone)