Run-up to Malaysia Open, Media News
Instead of the news being spread out in all over the threads, Put up any news you get from media about Msia Open, not necessary from Msia, also from other countries.

3 Jan 2008
Harian Metro
http://www.hmetro.com.my/Current_News/myMetro/Thursday/Arena/92809/Article/index_html
Koo/Tan tumpu Terbuka Malaysia

Oleh Sufian Thauri Muhammed


BERBEKALKAN status selaku beregu nombor satu dunia, Tan Boon Heong dan Koo Kien Keat sepatutnya sudah memikirkan peluang merangkul pingat di Sukan Olimpik 2008, tetapi buat ketika ini mereka mengambil pendekatan berbeza.

Boon Heong menyifatkan terlalu awal untuk memikirkan Olimpik ketika ini dan tumpuan mereka lebih terarah kepada usaha mempertahankan kejuaraan pada Terbuka Malaysia, 15 Januari ini.

"Lebih baik jika kami tidak terlalu memikirkan mengenai Olimpik kerana kami mempunyai misi yang tidak kurang penting di Terbuka Malaysia.

"Saya tidak mahu kerana terlalu memikirkan Olimpik, fokus kami terhadap usaha mempertahankan kejuaraan di Terbuka Malaysia terjejas," katanya.




Terbuka Malaysia adalah salah satu daripada enam kejohanan yang dimenangi Boon Heong-Kien Keat tahun lalu selepas mula digandingkan pada 2006.

Selain Terbuka Malaysia, mereka memenangi Seluruh England, Terbuka Switzerland, Filipina, Macau dan Denmark.

Prestasi cemerlang itu meletakkan mereka sebagai pilihan utama untuk memenangi Terbuka Malaysia yang mampu memberikan sejumlah besar mata kelayakan Olimpik, namun Boon Heong mengakui kedudukan itu membuatkannya sedikit tertekan.

"Apabila berada di ranking nombor satu dunia, sudah pasti harapan peminat tempatan untuk melihat kami mempertahankan kejuaraan lebih tinggi.

"Bermain di hadapan mereka, kami perlu memberikan persembahan terbaik.

"Saya juga belum dapat meramalkan peluang kami, tetapi gambarannya lebih jelas jika kami melepasi pusingan pertama nanti," katanya.

Andai berjaya melangkah ke final, Kien Keat-Boon Heong dijangka menentang juara dunia yang juga pilihan kedua, Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan dari Indonesia, tetapi sebelum itu mereka perlu mengatasi cabaran sengit di pusingan awal.

Mereka dijangka bertemu sama ada beregu handalan China, Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun atau gandingan pemain Indonesia dan Amerika Syarikat, Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan di separuh akhir.

Sebelum itu di suku akhir, mereka mungkin berhadapan sama ada rakan senegara, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah; beregu Korea, Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae dan Lee Jae Jin-Hwang Ji Man atau pasangan Denmark, Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen.

"Laluan kami tidak mudah, tetapi prestasi baik sepanjang latihan sejak tiga minggu lalu memberikan keyakinan kepada kami dalam usaha mempertahankan kejuaraan. Tahap kecergasan kami juga semakin baik.

"Lagipun kami berazam untuk melayakkan diri ke final kerana sudah lama tidak beraksi di peringkat itu dengan kali terakhir di Terbuka Denmark, Oktober lalu," katanya.

Sementara itu, peluang jaguh perseorangan lelaki negara, Lee Chong Wei untuk mengungguli acaranya dilihat cerah susulan ketiadaan pemain nombor satu dunia, Lin Dan dari China.

Begitupun, dia masih perlu menangani cabaran pemain China lain seperti Bao Chunlai, Chen Jin dan Chen Yu selain dua jaguh Denmark, Peter Gade Christensen dan Kenneth Jonassen serta pemain Indonesia, Sony Dwi Kuncoro dan Taufik Hidayat.
__________________________________________________ ____________

Rough Translation (means just the main points, not accurate line by line)
This is intv with TBH
As the World No 1 pair, TBH & KKK supposed to be thinking of winning medals in OG 2008, but this time they are taking a different approach.

TBH considers it too early to think about OG, efforts are more to defending their title at MO this Jan 15.

" I do not want to think too much about OG until our efforts in defending the MO title is effected"- TBH

List of KKK/TBH achievements

Their achievements has made KKK/TBH the top seeds to win the title but TBH admits it makes him feel a bit pressured.

"When we World no 1 pair, of course the home fans' hopes are higher to see us win. Playing in front of home crowd, we must give our best."
"I havent been able to predict our chances, but will be clearer after we clear the 1st round."

"Our path(to finals) is not easy but our performance has been good in training these 3 weeks. It gives us confidence to defend the title. Our fitness has also improved."

"We are determined to reach the finals because has been long time since we last did so at Denmark Open, last Oct."


If they manage to reach finals, they are expected to meet current World Champs Kido/Setiawan but face stiff competition in the early rounds.

QF : will either meet CTF/LWW, Korean pairs Lee/Jung, Lee/Hwang or Denmark's JE/ML
SemiF : Meet either Fu/Cai or Tony/Chandra

List of LCW's draw

from the star Online
http://www.thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2008/1/3/sports/19905228&sec=sports

3 Jan 2008
On the draws
Badminton: Malaysian has Taufik and Christensen for company
By LIM TEIK HUAT

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2008/1/3/sports/63chen.jpg PETALING JAYA: Chinese shuttlers Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin (pic) are not in the same half of the draw as Malaysian Open top seed Lee Chong Wei but there is little relief for the Malaysian, who is in the same quarter as Indonesian ace Taufik Hidayat.

Chong Wei faces a tricky challenge in the season-opening Super Series event at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 15-20.

He has team-mate Mohd Hafiz Hashim as his first-round opponent and it will be the third time that the duo will clash in a Super Series tournament. In the inaugural Series last year, Chong Wei lost to Hafiz in Singapore but avenged the defeat in Japan.

If Chong Wei, who is now ranked second in the world, clears the first round, he is likely to have Poland’s Przemyslaw Wacha as his next opponent before the quarter-finals.

World number one Lin Dan of China is the only top shuttler giving the tournament a miss and Chong Wei is looking at regaining the title that he had won thrice before losing to Chunlai in the quarter-finals last year.

Chong Wei has regained his form after a brief slump and has not lost in the early rounds since winning the Indonesian Open last year. He also emerged as champion in the Super Series events in Japan and France.

Also in the half as Chong Wei are top Dane Peter-Gade Christensen and Chen Yu of China.

Another all-Malaysian first-round battle will see veteran Mohd Roslin Hashim taking on KLRC Bhd’s Sairul Amar Ayob with the winner likely to play against Christensen.

Former Malaysian number one Wong Choong Hann also has the luck of the draw against him. He has a first-round match against former world number one Chen Hong of China. If he wins, he faces second seed Chunlai in the next round.
Yeoh Kay Bin opens his campaign against third seed Chen Jin.

In the women’s singles, China Open champion Wong Mew Choo faces team-mate Julia Wong in the first round and she has in her quarter top seed Xie Xingfang of China. Also in the same half is reigning world champion Zhu Lin. Mew Choo beat both the Chinese players in the China Open last November.

The top seeded men’s doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who are also the title holders, face the possibility of meeting team-mates Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah in the quarter-finals.

In the same half as Kien Keat-Boon Heong are former world champions Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China, who are the third seeds, and Japanese Shuichi Sakamoto-Shintaro Ikeda, who beat the top Malaysian pair in the quarter-finals of the World Championships last year.

The third ranked Malaysian pair of Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif are seeking to boost their chances of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in August but they could not have asked for a worse draw than having to face top Indonesians Luluk Hadiyanto-Alvent Yulianto in the first round.
If they survive the opening match, they will be up against the formidable Indonesian-American combination of Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan.

from Utusan Malaysia
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0103&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Sukan&pg=su_01.htm

Intv with Rexy & TBH
Rexy tagih sokongan - Buruan emas Olimpik Beijing 2008


Oleh: FERZALFIE FAUZI


KUALA LUMPUR – Jurulatih beregu lelaki Malaysia, Rexy Mainaky mengajak rakyat Malaysia bersama-sama memberikan sokongan padu kepada pasangan beregu negara Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong yang diletakkan harapan untuk merangkul pingat emas pertama negara pada Sukan Olimpik di Beijing tahun ini.

Menurut Rexy, kedua-dua pasangan itu sedang berusaha keras untuk berada di kemuncak prestasi menjelang temasya sukan tersebut yang hanya tinggal lapan bulan sahaja.

MD coach Rexy, asks all Malaysian to unite together and give full support to KKK/TBH, who are hoped to win the country's 1st gold in OG 2008

Rexy says the duo are working hard to stay at the top for the upcoming OG, only 8 months left.

‘‘Peluang mereka untuk mendapatkan pingat emas memang ada iaitu antara 50 hingga 55 peratus tetapi saya minta semua pihak jangan terlalu memberi tekanan kepada mereka sebaliknya memberi sokongan yang positif,’’ katanya yang ditemui Utusan Malaysia, semalam.

Kata Rexy, segala tekanan akan datang dalam tempoh lapan bulan ini dan meminta semua pihak jangan memberikan impak negatif jika pasangan itu gagal berikutan usia mereka yang masih muda.

"Their chance to obtain gold is between 50-55% but I ask all parties not to give too much pressure to them but give positive support."
All the pressure will come these 8 months and ask all parties not to give -ve impact to the young pair should they fail.

‘‘Saya amat berbesar hati dengan harapan yang diletakkan oleh Majlis Sukan Negara (MSN) dan saya yakin semua pemain badminton negara juga mempunyai cita-cita untuk berjaya di Sukan Olimpik nanti.

‘‘Tetapi jangan sampai ia menjadi satu tekanan kepada pemain yang mungkin akan menyebabkan mereka gagal dalam perebutan pingat di Beijing,’’ jelasnya.
Rexy berkata, pemain yang menerima terlalu banyak tekanan terutama pemain muda akan mudah berasa panik dan apabila menjadi panik permainan akan sedikit terganggu.

" I am very glad(?) with the hope put by NSC and I am confident all shuttlers also aspire to be succesfull in the OG.
"But dont let it be a form of pressure to the players that will cause them to fail in the medal chase in Beijing." Players that are too pressured esp young players will easily panic. When players panic, their game is a bit effected.


Menurutnya, perkara yang paling utama ialah menjaga fokus pemain terutama Koo Kien Kiat-Tan Boon Heong tidak lari pada landasannya.

‘‘Saya juga sentiasa mengawal mereka berdua agar tidak terlalu besar kepala dan menasihatkan mereka sentiasa mengekalkan prestasi sepanjang tempoh lapan bulan yang genting ini,’’ tegasnya.

Rexy juga amat berpuas hati dengan komitmen yang diberikan kepada pasangan beregu nombor satu dunia itu terutama Tan Boon Heong yang sudah memiliki komitmen dalam latihan.

Rexy says one of the most important factor is to take care of the player's focus so it wont venture off the tracks, esp KKK/TBH

"I also always control them (doesnt sound right this translation) so they wouldnt be big headed & advise them to keep up their performance throughout these 8 months."

Rexy is also very satisfied with the commitment given the duo esp TBH who has commitment in training.

Dalam pada itu, Rexy juga tidak memandang rendah terhadap kemampuan pasangan beregu veteran negara Chong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah kerana mereka juga mampu menggalas cabaran negara pada temasya itu kelak.

‘‘Pasangan veteran ini ibarat ‘kuda tua’ maknanya saya perlu menjaga mereka agar tidak cedera jika tidak cedera mereka mampu bermain dengan cemerlang,’’ kata Rexy.

On the other hand, Rexy doesnt look down on capabilities of CTF/LWW cos they also able to give a challenge in OG.
"This veteran pair is like old horses, I need to take care of them so they dont get injured. If not injured they can play excellently."

Mengenai satu lagi pasangan beregu muda Mohd. Zakry Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari pula Rexy menyifatkan mereka mempunyai peluang untuk melakukan kejutan.

‘‘Kalau kita tengok di Sukan Olimpik pemain yang tiada diberi pilihan (underdog) tidak mempunyai sebarang tekanan dan ini mungkin akan memberi sedikit kelebihan kepada mereka,’’ kata pemenang pingat emas di Sukan Olimpik 1996 di Atlanta itu.

The other young pair, Zakry/Fairuz, Rexy said they have the opportunity to do an upset. " If we see in OG, players who are underdog dont have pressure and maybe this gives them an advantage."


Sementara itu, pasangan beregu negara Tan Boon Heong dan Koo Kien Kiat berkata, peluang mereka untuk memenangi pingat emas di Beijing memang ada tetapi jangan terlalu memberi tekanan untuk merealisasikan impian itu.

‘‘Saya dan Koo (Koo Kien Kiat) perlu mengawal segala tekanan dan harapan yang diletakkan agar tidak mengganggu prestasi kami ketika latihan dan kejohanan yang akan datang,’’ kata Tan Boon Heong.

Katanya, bagi menghilangkan segala tekanan tumpuan terhadap Sukan Olimpik tidak perlu difikir lagi apa yang penting ialah fokus terhadap kejohanan yang terdekat seperti Terbuka Malaysia.

‘‘Saya tidak mahu peristiwa seperti di Kejohanan Dunia berlaku lagi iaitu tekanan menyebabkan kami gagal untuk menjadi juara,’’ jelasnya.

TBH said there is chance to win OG but dont give too much pressure to realize the dream.
"KKK & myself need to control all the presure and high hopes so it wont effect our performance during training & tournaments."
In order to dispel the pressure, not thinking about OG yet but focused on upcoming tournament MO.
"I dont want incident like World Champ 2007 to happen again, when pressure had caused us to fail in becoming champion."

Ditanya mengenai halangan utama di Sukan Olimpik Tan berkata, semua pemain beregu yang menyertai kejohanan tersebut adalah halangan mereka kerana pemain yang berjaya ke temasya tersebut adalah di kalangan yang terbaik.

‘‘Beregu Indonesia (Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan) dan China (Fu Heifeng-Chai Yun) akan menjadi halangan utama tetapi beregu lain juga tidak harus dipandang mudah,’’ katanya

When asked who are their main obstacles in OG, TBH said all pairs cos all pairs in OG are the best.
"Kido/Setiawan & Fu/Cai are main obstable but other pairs also cannot be taken lightly."
__________________________________________________ ____________

Sorry about the translation alternating with the original. It's faster & easier for me to read and type that way - couldnt print out the article. Feel free to correct any errors in translating.

This will be food for thought for Pemuda. Even the coach says dont put too much pressure.:)

from NST, 4 Jan 2008

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Sport/2123790/Article/index_html
Badminton: Fearing the underdogs
By : K.M. Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)

http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/Sport/2123790/insidepix1
Zakry Latif (left) and Fairuzizuan Tazari are among the lower ranked pairs to have beaten Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

THERE is always danger in the unknown and this is what World No 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are worried about as the run-up to the Beijing Olympics begins with the Malaysia Open on Jan 15-20.
The world's other leading pairs don't worry Kien Keat-Boon Heong anymore but what they fear are those ranked much lower, and for a good reason.

Their recent defeats have been mostly at the hands of pairs ranked in the 10-20 bracket and the Malaysians are desperate to erase this aspect of their game.

Some have said the defeats are due to arrogance but both deny this.

"We have always done well against the top eight pairs but have often stumbled against lower ranked opponents. We have to avoid this if we want to retain the Malaysia Open crown," said Kien Keat yesterday.
The pair have a fantastic record against the likes of World No 2 Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia, China's World No 3 Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun, Indonesian-American pair and World No 4 Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan and World No 6 Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae of South Korea.

But humbling defeats, among others, have been suffered against the likes of Shintaro Ikeda-Shuichi Sakamoto in last year's World Championships quarter-finals and to compatriots Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari, who are not really in Kien Keat-Boon Heong's class.

In fact, the Malaysians lost seven times to much lower ranked pairs last year.

Boon Heong said their success rate over the other top pairs is because their opponents are always under pressure against them but the lower ranked pairs have always capitalised on the advantage of being underdogs.

"When we started last year, we were the underdogs and started beating top pairs but it is exactly the opposite now," said Boon Heong.

"Our main rivals are always under pressure to beat us and that makes our jobs easier.

"However, we have prepared well over the last two months and I am looking forward to a good performance in the Malaysia Open."

Kien Keat echoed his partner.

"We cannot take the lower ranked pairs for granted and we will be cautious after stumbling against them several times last year.

"Our objective is to win at least two tournaments before the Beijing Olympics (in August) which will be the priority

u r basically collectin all da news from all sorts of papers n paste here.. haha

u r basically collectin all da news from all sorts of papers n paste here.. haha

:D Yup, me knows, me knows. Some news have so many threads we can post to, dont know which one to post it, so easier to put all in one.

The Star Online

Badminton: Chong Ming eyeing the glory trail again
BY RAJES PAUL

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/1/4/sports/62chew2.jpg Glorious past: Chew Choon Eng (left) and Chan Chong Ming with their 2002 Asian Games bronze medal. The same year they also won the Commonwealth Games doubles gold medal. The duo, who split up in 2004, are back together for this month’s Malaysia Open.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former national doubles star Chan Chong Ming has made a quick return from retirement to renew a partnership with Chew Choon Eng.
The duo, who were ranked as the world's number one pair briefly in 2002, will feature in the Malaysian Open, which will be held from Jan 15-20 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, under the sponsorship of sports equipment firm Victor.
Two months ago, Chong Ming ended a 14-year journey with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), saying that his time was up in playing competitive international badminton. He now has had a change of heart and has decided to grab the chance to be reunited with his former partner.
“I missed playing badminton at the competitive level. My former partner and good friend, Choon Eng, threw the idea of getting back together,” said the 27-year-old Chong Ming.
“And I jumped at it immediately. Yes, we still think that we can compliment each other well and challenge the other pairs on the world circuit.”
The Chong Ming-Choon Eng partnership was split after the 2004 Athens Olympics. Chong Ming went on to pair up with Koo Kien Keat and Hoon Thien How before he left the BAM. And Choon Eng, who did not have a regular partner, eventually left the national team in 2005.
Chong Ming, who will tie the knot with his long-time girlfriend Janice Lee on Sunday, said that he had good memories of his partnership with Choon Eng between 2000 and 2004.
“2002 was our best year. We won the Japan Open and a gold medal in the Manchester Commonwealth Games. We were the runners-up in the China and Denmark Opens. We are giving ourselves another shot at bringing back some of the glory days,” he said.
Chong Ming-Choon Eng thanked Victor for reviving their partnership. Yesterday, they were given the green light by the BAM to spar with the national players under the charge of Rexy Mainaky.
Said Choon Eng: “They (Victor) will provide the funds for us to compete in international tournaments. What's more important is that they believe in us and we appreciate that.”
In the Malaysian Open, Chong Ming-Choon Eng will have to beat Indonesians Bona Septano-Ahsan Mohd of Indonesia in the qualifying tournament to get a place in the main draw.
“Our aim is to get among the top 16 in the world by end of this year. But we will not be rushing into things,” added Choon Eng.

..so quick ar, a re-partnership for CCM and CCE!:eek:..I think only ants knows about this news...:p;)

..so quick ar, a re-partnership for CCM and CCE!:eek:..I think only ants knows about this news...:p;)

Hahaha how u know ah?

...Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Ming, who split up in 2004, are back together for this month’s Malaysia Open.

This is very good news for both Malaysia and badminton :)
These guys were very good when they were on the pro circuit.

Can they beat the newer pairs with their old skills? ;)

Hahaha how u know ah?
*gulp*:o...after all these yrs, in BC, who else would know such infos other than...........yoooou:); literally, you're the only BC "connection" with the M'sian players.....:p;)

Based on their sessions with the guys... i think CCM/CCE will give them a run on their money.

Interesting to know that Chan Chong Ming will be only 28 yo this year.....just 2 years older than Hendra A. Gunawan (26 yo this year) :eek:

Meanwhile, Chew Choon Eng will be 32 this year, and he's only 3 weeks older than me :rolleyes:

Bona Septano/Mohd Ahsan will have a tough match in store, facing Chan Chong Ming/Chew Choon Eng in the Qualifying Round :mad: Probably the tie of the round.

wow, CCM and CCE repartner again..
thats a good news...
hope they can play very well and give some pair a run for their money..

from Utusan Msia

4 Jan 2008

Lin Dan bukan halangan – Chong Wei - Ranking ‘panas’ nombor satu


Oleh: NORZIE MOHD. KHASBI


KUALA LUMPUR – Jaguh badminton negara, Lee Chong Wei menegaskan, dia tidak takut kepada Lin Dan atau pemain-pemain China yang lain dan akan membuktikannya dengan merampas gelaran nombor satu dunia tahun ini.

Juara Terbuka Indonesia, Jepun, Perancis dan Filipina itu percaya, peluangnya untuk merampas kedudukan teratas daripada Lin Dan adalah cerah jika berjaya mengekalkan aksi konsisten sepanjang tahun.

Pemain nombor dua dunia itu berharap kempennya dapat bermula dengan positif, iaitu dengan merampas kembali kejuaraan Terbuka Malaysia yang akan berlangsung di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil pada 15-20 Januari ini.

Selain dapat mengukuhkan kedudukan dalam ranking dunia, memenangi kejohanan pembuka tirai 2008 itu juga akan motivasi paling sempurna sebelum menghadapi cabaran Sukan Olimpik di Beijing, Ogos ini.

“Saya percaya peluang untuk kembali bergelar pemain nombor satu dunia pada 2008 adalah baik jika saya dapat mengekalkan prestasi dan bermain konsisten, dan saya tidak pernah ragu tentang kemampuan untuk merampasnya.

‘‘Memenangi Terbuka Malaysia, yang akan menjadi pembuka tirai tahun baru merupakan langkah paling positif untuk memulakan kempen, saya akan cuba melakukannya di depan peminat sendiri,’’ katanya, semalam.

Bagaimanapun Chong Wei menegaskan, peluangnya untuk merampas kejuaraan yang dimenangi pada 2004, 2005 dan 2006 itu bukan dipermudahkan kerana ketiadaan juara dunia, Lin Dan.

Katanya, penyertaan Lin Dan sememangnya menjadikan saingan semakin sengit, namun dia bukanlah pemain yang digeruni atau cuba untuk dielakkan.
“Saya tidak lega Lin Dan tidak bertanding pada Terbuka Malaysia kerana saya tidak pernah kisah sama ada dia beraksi atau tidak. Saya tidak takut dan tidak cuba mengelakkan daripada bertemu dengannya.

“Pada saya, ada ramai lagi pemain yang bagus selain Lin Dan. Jadi, cabaran tetap sukar apabila pemain seperti Bao Chunlai, Chen Jin, Chen Yu atau Peter Gade beraksi. Apa pun, saya tidak gentar berdepan mana-mana pemain, terutama dari China,’’ katanya lagi.

Meski pun memasang hajat besar untuk merampas kedudukan teratas dunia, selain mengidamkan pingat emas Olimpik, Chong Wei bagaimanapun
menegaskan dia tidak mahu terlalu ghairah dalam menetapkan sasaran.

Katanya, dia tidak mahu kesilapan Kejohanan Dunia berulang, di mana dia meletakkan tekanan melampau kepada diri sendiri dan akhirnya, dia bukan saja gagal merangkul kejuaraan, malah tersingkir pada pusingan ketiga kepada pemain Indonesia, Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

“Saya hanya mahu mengambil setiap perlawanan satu demi satu. Saya tidak mahu menganggap diri sebagai pilihan, meski pun saya diletakkan sebagai pemain pilihan dalam mana-mana kejohanan sekali pun.

“Pada Terbuka Malaysia, saya akan turun sebagai pilihan pertama tetapi saya mahu beraksi sebagai underdog, termasuk apabila bertemu Hafiz (Hashim) di pusingan pertama. Lagi pun, dia juga pernah kalahkan saya pada Terbuka Belanda tahun lalu, jadi memang wajar kalau saya anggap dia juga pemain pilihan,’’ katanya.

Chong Wei juga berkata, dia sedar ketika ini semua topik yang dibincangkan peminat sukan tanah air tertumpu kepada impian memburu emas Olimpik, di mana badminton menjadi sandaran utama.

Bagaimanapun, dia tidak mahu memberikan tekanan kepada diri sendiri dengan menganggap emas Olimpik adalah segala-galanya, sedang kan dia juga mempunyai banyak cabaran lain untuk difikirkan, termasuk Piala Thomas yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta, Mei ini.

“Sekarang ini saya tidak mahu bercakap langsung mengenai menang emas Olimpik, saya cuma rasa ia belum masanya. Saya hanya berminat untuk bercakap bagaimana hendak melayakkan diri ke Beijing, yang lain nanti dulu,’’ katanya.

Jika berjaya melepasi cabaran Hafiz pada pusingan pertama Terbuka Malaysia, Chong Wei dijangka menentang juara Olimpik, Taufik Hidayat di suku akhir sebelum menentang penyandang juara, Peter Gade dari Denmark di separuh akhir.

__________________________________________________ _____________
This is interview with LCW. Translation will done later, or you all can do it. Looks like things are heating up to Msia Open.

Based on their sessions with the guys... i think CCM/CCE will give them a run on their money.

Btw, do CCE/CCM have a coach or train by themselves and spar with national squad? Sorry, I'm not familiar with Victor's setup.

From above news, looks like LCW has double target in this year -- replace LD as the World Number One and reach Beijing Gold. Based on 2007 achievement, it can say LCW is the most potential threat to disrupt China MS domination recently.

Btw, do CCE/CCM have a coach or train by themselves and spar with national squad? Sorry, I'm not familiar with Victor's setup.


my understanding was that CCM has retired.

my understanding was that CCM has retired.

Retired from the national squad, but rejoins club (KLRC).

my understanding was that CCM has retired.

Retired from the national squad, but rejoins club (KLRC).

Read the news posted by Jessica in this thread.
CCM retired from BAM, has re-partnered with CCEng, now with Victor. In the intv, it says they will spar with the national squad.
When CCM announced retirement, Rexy did say he wanted CCM to remain as sparring partner. Now better still, got "additional" player in the form of CCE.

That's why I asked Ants if they have coach.

oh i see, well good for him, it would be a shame to waste a talent like his.

Read the news posted by Jessica in this thread.
CCM retired from BAM, has re-partnered with CCEng, now with Victor. In the intv, it says they will spar with the national squad.
When CCM announced retirement, Rexy did say he wanted CCM to remain as sparring partner. Now better still, got "additional" player in the form of CCE.

That's why I asked Ants if they have coach.

All these while CCE also spar with the BAM players, even before CCM retired.

from Utusan Msia

4 Jan 2008

Lin Dan bukan halangan – Chong Wei - Ranking ‘panas’ nombor satu


Oleh: NORZIE MOHD. KHASBI


KUALA LUMPUR – Jaguh badminton negara, Lee Chong Wei menegaskan, dia tidak takut kepada Lin Dan atau pemain-pemain China yang lain dan akan membuktikannya dengan merampas gelaran nombor satu dunia tahun ini.

Juara Terbuka Indonesia, Jepun, Perancis dan Filipina itu percaya, peluangnya untuk merampas kedudukan teratas daripada Lin Dan adalah cerah jika berjaya mengekalkan aksi konsisten sepanjang tahun.

Pemain nombor dua dunia itu berharap kempennya dapat bermula dengan positif, iaitu dengan merampas kembali kejuaraan Terbuka Malaysia yang akan berlangsung di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil pada 15-20 Januari ini.

Selain dapat mengukuhkan kedudukan dalam ranking dunia, memenangi kejohanan pembuka tirai 2008 itu juga akan motivasi paling sempurna sebelum menghadapi cabaran Sukan Olimpik di Beijing, Ogos ini.

The country's top player, LCW emphazie that he is not afraid of LD or other China players and intends to prove it by taking the World no 1 spot this year.
...Hopes to start that campaign by snatching back MO title.
Other than improving World ranking, winning the 2008 opening title is also the perfect motivation before facing OG challenge this Aug.

“Saya percaya peluang untuk kembali bergelar pemain nombor satu dunia pada 2008 adalah baik jika saya dapat mengekalkan prestasi dan bermain konsisten, dan saya tidak pernah ragu tentang kemampuan untuk merampasnya.

‘‘Memenangi Terbuka Malaysia, yang akan menjadi pembuka tirai tahun baru merupakan langkah paling positif untuk memulakan kempen, saya akan cuba melakukannya di depan peminat sendiri,’’ katanya, semalam.

Bagaimanapun Chong Wei menegaskan, peluangnya untuk merampas kejuaraan yang dimenangi pada 2004, 2005 dan 2006 itu bukan dipermudahkan kerana ketiadaan juara dunia, Lin Dan.

"I beleive the chances to become World no 1 in 2008 is good, if I am able to maintain performance consistently, I dont doubt my capability to grab it (what's a suitable translation for "rampas" in this context)
"Winning MO, the season opener, is the +ve step towards this campaign, I will try to do it in front of home fans."

However, LCW insists his chances of winning is not made easier with absence of LD.

Katanya, penyertaan Lin Dan sememangnya menjadikan saingan semakin sengit, namun dia bukanlah pemain yang digeruni atau cuba untuk dielakkan.
“Saya tidak lega Lin Dan tidak bertanding pada Terbuka Malaysia kerana saya tidak pernah kisah sama ada dia beraksi atau tidak. Saya tidak takut dan tidak cuba mengelakkan daripada bertemu dengannya.

“Pada saya, ada ramai lagi pemain yang bagus selain Lin Dan. Jadi, cabaran tetap sukar apabila pemain seperti Bao Chunlai, Chen Jin, Chen Yu atau Peter Gade beraksi. Apa pun, saya tidak gentar berdepan mana-mana pemain, terutama dari China,’’ katanya lagi.

Meski pun memasang hajat besar untuk merampas kedudukan teratas dunia, selain mengidamkan pingat emas Olimpik, Chong Wei bagaimanapun
menegaskan dia tidak mahu terlalu ghairah dalam menetapkan sasaran.

Although LD is tough opponent, he is not feared or to be avoided. "I'm not relieved LD not competing in MO, I never bother is he is in action or not. I'm not afraid & never avoided meeting/playing him.

"Many other players other than LD are good - BCL, CJ, Chen Yu, Peter Gade, the challenge is still difficuly. Anyway, I'm not afraid of facing any player, esp from China."

ALthough there's high hope of gaining World No 1 & OG gold, LCW doesnt want to be too much into it.

Katanya, dia tidak mahu kesilapan Kejohanan Dunia berulang, di mana dia meletakkan tekanan melampau kepada diri sendiri dan akhirnya, dia bukan saja gagal merangkul kejuaraan, malah tersingkir pada pusingan ketiga kepada pemain Indonesia, Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

“Saya hanya mahu mengambil setiap perlawanan satu demi satu. Saya tidak mahu menganggap diri sebagai pilihan, meski pun saya diletakkan sebagai pemain pilihan dalam mana-mana kejohanan sekali pun.

“Pada Terbuka Malaysia, saya akan turun sebagai pilihan pertama tetapi saya mahu beraksi sebagai underdog, termasuk apabila bertemu Hafiz (Hashim) di pusingan pertama. Lagi pun, dia juga pernah kalahkan saya pada Terbuka Belanda tahun lalu, jadi memang wajar kalau saya anggap dia juga pemain pilihan,’’ katanya.

LCW doesnt want the mistake of WC to repeat - i.e. putting too much pressure on himself, in the end, not only fail to win title, lost in 3rd round to Sony K.
"I only want to take one match at a time. I dont want to consider myself seeded player, even when I'm seeded in any competition."
"In MO, I will play as no 1 seed but I want to play as underdog, including when meeting Hafiz in 1st round. Hafiz has beaten me in Dutch Open last year, I should consider him as worthy opponent."


Chong Wei juga berkata, dia sedar ketika ini semua topik yang dibincangkan peminat sukan tanah air tertumpu kepada impian memburu emas Olimpik, di mana badminton menjadi sandaran utama.

Bagaimanapun, dia tidak mahu memberikan tekanan kepada diri sendiri dengan menganggap emas Olimpik adalah segala-galanya, sedang kan dia juga mempunyai banyak cabaran lain untuk difikirkan, termasuk Piala Thomas yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta, Mei ini.

“Sekarang ini saya tidak mahu bercakap langsung mengenai menang emas Olimpik, saya cuma rasa ia belum masanya. Saya hanya berminat untuk bercakap bagaimana hendak melayakkan diri ke Beijing, yang lain nanti dulu,’’ katanya.

Although he knows the hot topic discussed by fans now is OG gold, where badminton is the main hope for winning it. He does not want to pressurize himself and think of OG gold as 'the' thing, when he has many other challenges before that include Thomas Cup.

"For now I dont want to talk about winning OG gold, I think it's not time yet. I'm only interested in talking how to qualify for Beijing, others wait 1st"



Jika berjaya melepasi cabaran Hafiz pada pusingan pertama Terbuka Malaysia, Chong Wei dijangka menentang juara Olimpik, Taufik Hidayat di suku akhir sebelum menentang penyandang juara, Peter Gade dari Denmark di separuh akhir.

__________________________________________________ _____________
This is interview with LCW. Translation will done later, or you all can do it. Looks like things are heating up to Msia Open.

Translated as promised

:cool:So, did CCE quit KLRC officially and play under Victor?
Sorry i am abit out of track....:o
Since CCM was just married recently, don't expect any kinda "comeback" too soon yet from them;)

From The Star Online:

Rexy: Special training adds power to Boon Heong’s shot

By RAJES PAUL


KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles coach Rexy Mainaky rates Tan Boon Heong as the player with the most lethal smash in the Malaysian team.

With more emphasis on his physical training programme, Rexy expects Boon Heong to make a bigger impact with partner Koo Kien Keat in international tournaments this year, starting with the defence of their doubles title in the Malaysian Open, which will begin from Jan 15-20 at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

“Boon Heong has the most powerful smash among all the men’s doubles players in the team. His smashes are steep and are not easy for opponents to retrieve. That is an advantage for him and we are fine-tuning his weapon,” said Rexy.

“China’s Fu Haifeng is rated as the player with the most powerful smash in the world. He is bigger built and that helps. In comparison, Boon Heong is smaller. But our physical trainer (Shaun Sturgess) has come out with a special physical training programme for Boon Heong to make him stronger.”
Rexy said he hoped to see Malaysia retain the men’s doubles title.
“I am happy with the performances of Tan and Koo in training. It will be a good start to the year if they can win the title for Malaysia. But the more important goal is to strike it right at the Beijing Olympic Games. That is all I care about,” said Rexy.

Top seeds Boon Heong-Kien Keat face a tricky first round meeting against Indonesians Hendra Gunawan-Joko Riyadi.
They are also in the same quarter with former world champions Jonas Rasmussen-Lars Paaske of Denmark and two Malaysians – veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.

Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari are the only Malaysians in the lower half of the draw with second seeds Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia, Denmark’s Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen and the Indonesian-American combination of Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan.

Yup.. Agree TBH is the most lethal smashers in MAS MD team... He will be getting closer to Fu Hai Feng's standard soon if given a proper training more regularly..

:cool:So, did CCE quit KLRC officially and play under Victor?
Sorry i am abit out of track....:o
Since CCM was just married recently, don't expect any kinda "comeback" too soon yet from them;)

Abt CCE - KLRC -Victor, of course must ask Ants lah, he know better.
If by 'comeback' you mean top form, maybe not, they just re-partnered.
But they are competing in Msia Open & Korea Open. Short honeymoon for CCM then.

YOu may post your thoughts and support to CCM/CCE here

http://www.badmintoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51117

Abt CCE - KLRC -Victor, of course must ask Ants lah, he know better.
If by 'comeback' you mean top form, maybe not, they just re-partnered.
But they are competing in Msia Open & Korea Open. Short honeymoon for CCM then.

I think both CCM and CCE are with KLRC. Victor is merely sponsoring them in terms of equipments. Correct me if I am wrong.

I've posted my answers in the other thread.

From above news, looks like LCW has double target in this year -- replace LD as the World Number One and reach Beijing Gold. Based on 2007 achievement, it can say LCW is the most potential threat to disrupt China MS domination recently.

ha ha. World No 1 and top seed always lose in 1st round at Olympics Games. Remember Lin Dan in 2004. So if I am the one, I rather be World No 2 !

Here're today's news

from NST, 6 Jan 2008
Badminton: Mew Choo aims to beat World No 1 Xingfang again

By : K.M. Boopathy.my (%20boopathy@nst.com)


http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/Sport/2125131/insidepix1


WONG Mew Choo's (pic) will be aiming to maintain her fine record against China's top four in the Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium on Jan 10-15.
Mew Choo, the eighth seed, secured a hat-trick of victories over the top three players -- World No 3 Zhu Lin, World No 2 Zhang Ning and World No 1 Xie Xingfang -- en route to the China Open title in November.

The victories over Zhu Lin and Zhang Ning were a first for Mew Choo while her win over Xingfang was her third in eight matches.

Mew Choo's coach Wong Tat Meng said Mew Choo has shown improvement but must keep it up until the Beijing Olympics in August.

"Mew Choo should not face a problem reaching the quarter-finals but the objective is to try and beat Xingfang to make the last four," said Tat Meng in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
"It is not going to be an easy task but if Mew Choo wants to secure a medal in the Olympics, she needs to consistently beat the top players.

"At the moment, Mew Choo has the ability to challenge anyone but winning consistently against the top players is something she has to work on."

Mew Choo, who made the Malaysia Open final last year, is not expected to face problems in the first round where she plays compatriot Julia Wong followed by a likely meeting with Singapore's Li Li.

l TOP national pairs Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah are skipping the Korea Open, the second Super Series tournament, in Seoul on Jan 22-27.

Third ranked Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari will be competing in Korea as they try to qualify for the Olympics.

Lee Chong Wei is seeded second in the men's singles and is expected to meet World No 1 Lin Dan of China in the final.

today's installment:

NST, 7 Jan 2008

On WD, WPT/CEH

2008/01/07

Badminton: Top pair vow to fight on despite Soon Kit's departure




MALAYSIA'S top women's doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui yesterday vowed to battle on and qualify for the Beijing Olympics despite the departure of their coach Cheah Soon Kit.


Soon Kit quit the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to join Kuala Lumpur Racket Club last month in a move the BAM described as a "surprise".

Pei Tty said they did not expect the coach to quit his job with BAM.

"Nevertheless, we'll fight on," Pei Tty said.

The World No 11 pair, who are preparing for the 2008 Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium which starts on Thursday, is now training with the men's doubles coach Rexy Mainaky.



Under Soon Kit, Pei Tty-Eei Hui achieved significant success including winning gold in the Manila Sea Games in 2005 and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

They also beat China's World No 1 pair Zhang Yawen-Wei Yili in the first round of the Denmark Open last October.

"I had just resumed training after the Korat Sea Games when Soon Kit told me he was leaving," said Pei Tty, who added that 2008 is an important year for them as there were two major tournaments ahead - the Thomas Cup finals in Jakarta in May and the Beijing Olympics in August.

"For the first two Super Series of the 2008, the Malaysia and Korean Opens, I am not expecting much as my partner Eei Hui is still recovering from a back injury sustained in the China Open last year.

"We'll use first two tournaments to get use to the new coaching methods," she added.

Pei Tty said the coaching techniques of Soon Kit and Rexy are not the same.

"Rexy is more focus on shuttlers' footwork on the court," she disclosed. - Bernama

From NST

Badminton: Zakry-Fairuz must overcome 'final' jitters

By : K.M. Boopathy (boopathy@nst.com.my)




ZAKRY Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari are starting to develop the bad habit of losing at crucial stages especially in big events and this does not augur well for their push for an Olympics berth.

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky hopes the disturbing trend, which had bugged Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, will not hamper Zakry-Fairuz.

Their chances of qualifying as Malaysia's second pair for the Beijing Olympics in August has significantly improved due to Wan Wah's recent knee injury and Rexy will do anything possible to help the World No 16 pair avoid cultivating the nasty habit of losing in the semi-finals or final.

"Zakry and Fairuz have improved but their tendency of losing in big matches, especially the final, is not a good thing. The same problem had restricted Tan Fook-Wan Wah and I don't want the younger pair to take the same route," said Rexy.

"They play well in early rounds but become very ordinary, and this happens normally, in the final and semi-final stages on most occasions.
"If Wan Wah struggles with his injury, the best bet to take their place in the Olympics are Zakry-Fairuz and I have plenty of work to do in changing their approach at crucial times.

"Zakry has a positive mindset and is quite reliable in crunch situations but it is Fairuz who needs to improve.

"Fairuz's performance has gone up a notch but he is not very confident in a final but he must also help himself."

Zakry-Fairuz, who had a brilliant run in the Indonesia Open last year, came undone in the final against World No 3 Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China.

They muffed an opportunity to book a berth in the Taiwan Open final in September losing tamely to Denmark's Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen, who are already at the tailend of their careers, in the semi-finals.

The Malaysian pair convincingly beat Paaske-Rasmussen in the group stage of the Copenhagen Masters two weeks earlier but were thrashed by another veteran Danish combination - Jens Eriksen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen - in the final.

Malaysia is aiming for an Olympic gold in the men's doubles where World No 1 pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong are the big hope but the presence of a strong second pair will be important to achieve the task.

If Zakry-Fairuz fail to overcome their shaky performance in the buildup to the Olympics, Rexy may have to opt for the experience of Tan Fook and Wan Wah even if the latter is not fully fit.

Zakry-Fairuzizuan membara (Zakry/Fairuz on Fire)

Oleh Mohd Amin Jalil

Mahu jadikan Terbuka Malaysia langkah mula capai impian beraksi di Olimpik

KECEWA semusim tanpa sebarang gelaran tidak melunturkan keazaman gandingan muda, Mohd Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari untuk menempah kemunculan pada temasya Sukan Olimpik 2008 di Beijing, Ogos nanti.

Sebaliknya, pentas saingan Terbuka Malaysia, bermula minggu depan, mahu dijadikan langkah mula untuk memastikan harapan itu mampu ditukar jadi kenyataan.

The disappointment of a season without any titles did not deter the young pair, Zakry/Fairuz from gearing towards an appearance in 2008 OG.
Instead, in MO, they want it to be a starting point to ensure that hope becomes a reality.

Sebagai permulaan, masalah ketahanan mental yang goyah ketika berdepan situasi tekanan memuncak, mahu ditangani dengan seberapa segera menerusi bantuan jurulatih, Rexy Mainaky.

"Jurulatih menyedari kelemahan yang kami hadapi dan sudah mengingatkan dan membantu kami untuk cuba meleraikan masalah itu menjelang Terbuka Malaysia nanti.

"Malah dia mahu kami tingkatkan prestasi dan persembahan kerana saingan dalam Siri Super kali ini lebih sengit dan mencabar kerana setiap pemain mahu memungut sebanyak mungkin mata untuk layak ke Olimpik," kata Zakry.

As a start, the problem of weak mental strength during high pressure moments are to be addressed as fast as possible by MD coach Rexy.

"The coach realises our weakness, he has already reminded & helped us to overcome this problem come MO.
" He wants us to improve our perfomance (during MO) because the competition this time is stiff & challenging because very player wants to obtain as many OG qualification points as possible"

Zakry dan Fairuzizuan, digandingkan sejak April lalu, bagaimanapun tidak punya tempoh lama untuk 'memanaskan badan' kerana lawan menanti pada pusingan pertama nanti ialah beregu kental Indonesia, Luluk Hadiyanto-Alvent Yulianto.
Will meet Luluk/Alvent in MO 1st round.

Terbuka Malaysia juga adalah permulaan kepada misi mereka untuk sentiasa melakar pencapaian memuaskan kerana berdasarkan situasi terkini, kemungkinan besar hanya dua beregu negara akan mampu layak ke Beijing.

Dengan beregu emas, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong - menduduki ranking pertama dunia ketika ini - tampak hampir pasti layak, perebutan tempat kedua ialah di antara Zakry-Fairuzizuan dengan gandingan veteran, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.

"Sudah tentu kami perlu membuat persiapan rapi dan memantapkan lagi persembahan. Misi ke Olimpik itu jelas bukan mudah kerana prestasi dan pencapaian Tan Fook-Wan Wah masih konsisten.

"Tetapi kami tidak akan mengalah mudah dan kejayaan muncul naib juara Kejohanan Copenhagen Masters, akhir bulan lalu, kini jadi suntikan semangat untuk mengejar sasaran itu," katanya.

"Of course we need to bring up our performance. The mission to qualify for OG is not easy because CTF/LWW's performance are still consisten."

"Winning runner-up in Copenhagen Masters has been a boost of confidence for us in chasing this goal."

Pada saingan di Copenhagan itu, Zakry-Fairuzizuan kecundang dalam perlawanan akhir, 11-21, 17-21 kepada gandingan berpengalaman Denmark, Jens Erikssen-Martin Lundgaard Hansen.

Selain itu, cabaran beregu berkenaan tahun lalu menyaksikan mereka berjaya layak ke final Terbuka Indonesia sebelum kecundang di tangan gandingan utama China, Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun.
Lost in finals to JE/ML in Copenhagen Masters. Lost to Fu/Cai in Indonesia Open finals.

"Saya berharap tahun ini kami mampu mencipta pencapaian dan kejayaan lebih baik. Kami mahu memperbaiki ranking ke-16 ketika ini untuk terus mencerahkan harapan ke Beijing nanti," katanya.
"I hope this year we are able to achieve better results. We want to improve our no 16 ranking to brighten our chances for Beijing."

from Berita Harian, 7 Jan 2008
Interview with Zakry

from The Star

Veteran shuttler Wong calls on team-mates to fight
By RAJES PAUL


PETALING JAYA: Seasoned campaigner Wong Choong Hann has challenged fellow Malaysian shuttlers not to let the country bear the embarrassment of having only one qualifier in the men's singles for the first time in the Olympics.

Malaysia have had at least two qualifiers in the Games since the sport made its debut in Barcelona in 1992. But the good tradition could come undone at the Beijing Games in August.

Choong Hann is now the second Malaysian after Lee Chong Wei in the top 16 bracket of the world rankings. A country can have a maximum of two entries if both players are among the top 16.

While the second ranked Chong Wei is certain to get a shot at winning an Olympic gold for Malaysia, the 16th ranked Choong Hann is not in the safe zone yet. Players from another country or his own countrymen may overtake him.

There are four Malaysians ranked behind him – Mohd Hafiz Hashim (17th), KLRC Bhd's Lee Tsuen Seng (18th), Nusa Mahsuri's Mohd Roslin Hahsim (20th) and Yeoh Kay Bin (21st).

Singaporean Ronald Susilo is in 19th spot while Chan Yan Kit and Ng Wei of Hong Kong are close at number 22 and 23 respectively.

Choong Hann said that he would rather lose his place to another Malaysian than seeing no one making it to the top 16 except for Chong Wei.
“At this moment, there are several Malaysians, including me, in the running for the second slot in the men's singles. But we have to be wary that a player like Ronald can disappoint this second group of the Malaysian aspirants,” said Choong Hann.

“I prefer the competition for the second slot in the Olympics be among Malaysians. May the best man make it.”

The qualifying period ends in April and the players will have about five or six tournaments to make the grade.

Choong Hann is looking forward to his first international tournament of the year – the Malaysian Open, which will be held at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 15-20, to consolidate his position in the world rankings.

“These next few months will be very exciting. I expect a great chasing game to take place,” he said.

“I did not end the year on a high note although I had trained very hard. My touch is not in place yet.
“But I have had a good rest and I am fresh to take on the challenges again,” he added.

Choong Hann will be up against Chinese veteran Chen Hong in the first round. He is in the same quarter as second seed Bao Chunlai of China, Danish veteran Kenneth Jonassen and Tsuen Seng.
__________________________________________________ ______________

Always liked WCH's fighting spirit. Spoken like a true patriot.

hi CCE.....BEST OF LUCK!!! U still have it bro!!! Dont be despair of no 32 (age that is)...give them opponent hell!!!

Peluang Chong Wei, Mew Choo samar

KUALA LUMPUR – Dua perseorangan utama negara, Lee Chong Wei dan Wong Mew Choo diulit resah seminggu menjelang Kejohanan Badminton Terbuka Malaysia kerana masih dibelenggu kecederaan.

Kedua-dua pemain mengalami kecederaan yang serupa pada lutut kanan - masalah yang memaksa Mew Choo diketepikan dari Sukan SEA bulan lalu.
Bagaimanapun, bagi pemain nombor dua dunia, Chong Wei, dia tetap optimis mengenai peluang untuk merampas kembali kejuaraan, meski pun mengakui masih terasa sakit ketika menjalani latihan.

Keyakinan Chong Wei itu sememangnya boleh dipercayai kerana dia berjaya melayakkan diri ke perlawanan akhir Terbuka China dan Hong Kong, November lalu dalam keadaan yang cedera ketika itu.

Chong Wei yang kalah kepada pemain China - Bao Chunlai dan Lin Dan dalam kedua-dua kejohanan tersebut berkata, kesakitan pada lutut kanannya kadang kala menimbulkan keadaan kurang selesa, terutama ketika sedang menjalani latihan berat.

‘‘Kadang kala saya masih berasa sakit ketika berlatih, dan bila sakit itu datang, apa yang boleh saya lakukan adalah mengurangkan dos latihan. Ia memang tidak begitu menyenangkan kerana saya tetap perlu meneruskan latihan.

‘‘Bagaimanapun ia cuma satu keadaan yang kurang selesa dan bukanlah sehingga mampu menjejaskan. Saya yakin saya masih boleh memberikan permainan terbaik dan harap dapat memenangi gelaran sekali lagi,’’ kata Chong Wei.

Chong Wei, 25, merangkul kejuaraan hatrik Terbuka Malaysia dari 2004-2006, sebelum terlepas gelaran kepada jaguh Denmark, Peter Gade tahun lalu.
Sementara itu, peluang Mew Choo untuk mengulangi atau mengatasi pencapaian muncul naib juara tahun lalu tampak kurang meyakinkan kerana masih dibelenggu kecederaan.

Meski pun mengharungi musim 2007 yang cemerlang, apabila melakar sejarah menjuarai Terbuka China,dan berjaya mengalahkan semua pemain utama dunia sepanjang tahun itu, namun dia gagal berada dalam keadaan terbaik menjelang Terbuka Malaysia.

‘‘Peluang untuk mengulangi pencapaian tahun lalu tidak mudah, terutama dengan Xie Xingfang (pemain nombor satu dunia) menanti di suku akhir dan saya pula belum pulih sepenuhnya daripada kecederaan.

‘‘Bagaimanapun saya pernah menewaskan pemain-pemain terbaik dunia sepanjang 2007, malah menewaskan Xingfang di Kejohanan Dunia, harap ia akan menjadi motivasi untuk menghadapi Terbuka Malaysia,’’ kata Mew Choo.
Pemain nombor lapan dunia itu, yang akan memulakan kempen dengan menentang rakan senegara, Julia Wong, diikuti pemain Singapura, Li Li, kalah kepada juara dunia, Zhu Lin dari China pada perlawanan akhir tahun lalu.

Chong Wei, yang diletakkan sebagai pilihan pertama pula terpaksa berdepan rakan sepelatih, Muhd. Hafiz Hashim pada pusingan pertama, sebelum dijangka menentang juara Olimpik, Taufik Hidayat dari Indonesia di suku akhir.

from Utusan Msia, 8 Jan
__________________________________________________ ______________

Smmary : LCW & WMC's chances of winning MO is effected with their right knee injuries. LCW says it hurts when he does heavy duty training, he has to go easy. But not as bad that it disrupts his training prog.

WMC says difficult to repeat last year's feat when she has to meet XXF in QF + she hasnt fully recovered from her injured knee.

from The Star, 8 Jan 2008
another one for LCW fans


http://thestar.com.my/images/spacer.gif

Chong Wei bids for bright start to season in Malaysian Open
By RAJES PAUL


KUALA LUMPUR: National number one shuttler Lee Chong Wei is bent on erasing the painful memories of letting down the fans on home ground, not once but thrice last year.

After having remained invincible for three years at home, which earned him the unenviable tag of Jaguh Kampung from the cynics, Chong Wei failed to go beyond the quarter-finals in three major tournaments – the Malaysian Open, Asian Championships and the World Championships.

And he will be out to regain his magic touch with a good showing in the season-opening Super Series tournament – the Malaysian Open – which will be held at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from Jan 15-20.
In the absence of world number one Lin Dan of China, the 26-year-old Chong Wei is the top seed.
Of the three losses he suffered at home last year, the most painful one for Chong Wei was the shock defeat by Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the world championships, which were held in Bukit Jalil.

And he is happy to get an opportunity to make up for the humiliating defeat at the same venue next week.
“I failed in all three attempts to do well in front of the home crowd last year. It was a big disappointment and I am looking forward to playing well at home again,” said Chong Wei.

Despite the failures at home, last year was still one of the best seasons for Chong Wei. He bagged three Super Series titles (Indonesia, Japan and France) and was also a winner at the Philippines Open.
Chong Wei added that he could ill afford to take any of his opponents lightly in the Malaysian Open.

“My condition is better now. But I still get treatment every day for my knee problem. I spend 20 minutes daily at the ISN (National Sports Institute) after training. It has become a routine. I am taking all the necessary measures to take care of my knee,” he said.

“No match will be an easy one in the Malaysian Open. I will give my best and hopefully, I will get off to a good start this year. A head start to the year will put me in good stead for the Olympics (in Beijing in August).”
Chong Wei has been drawn to meet Mohd Hafiz Hashim in the first round. The match should favour Chong Wei as Hafiz's form have taken a nosedive. Barring an upset, he is expected to meet Poland's Wacha Przemyslaw in the second round. And there is a mouth-watering match on the cards – against Indonesian Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in the last eight.

from Berita Harian, 8 Jan 2008

Rexy mahu tiga beregu bimbingannya layak ke Beijing dan bawa pulang emas

DISAPA dengan kata-kata 'Selamat Tahun Baru', Rexy Mainaky bingkas membalas: "Bukan tahun selamat, tetapi tahun penuh tekanan!".

Disusuli ketawanya, Rexy kemudiannya berkata andai misi mengejar kilauan emas Sukan Olimpik di Beijing nanti tidak kesampaian, dia akan mengundurkan diri.


Tergamam? Kerana kenyataan itu lahir daripada jurulatih yang diakui sudah menjelmakan kelainan hebat dengan penghasilan ramai beregu badminton mantap negara? Sudah tentu!

Cuma ketika diasak beberapa kali buat mendapatkan kepastian, Rexy memilih untuk terus ketawa - sekali gus meninggalkan kenyataan itu terdedah kepada pelbagai tafsiran.

Apa yang sebaliknya mahu ditegaskan jurulatih itu ialah hakikat betapa impian melihat tiga beregu beraksi di Beijing - biarpun ketika ini nampak kian mustahil - belum lagi dikuburkannya.


Saya masih mahu bersikap optimis. Biarpun untuk mencapai sasaran itu, ketiga-tiga beregu perlu berada dalam ranking empat terbaik dunia, saya tetap mahu rasa yakin ianya mampu dilakukan,” katanya.

Ketika ini, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong dalam kedudukan selesa kerana merajai ranking dunia ketika gandingan Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah dan Fairuzizuan Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif masing-masing mengisi tangga kelima dan ke-16.

Untuk harapannya direalitikan, Kien Keat-Boon Heong perlu meneruskan prestasi gemilang seperti permulaan 2007 ketika Tan Fook-Wan Wah dan Fairuzizuan-Zakry harus secara kerap layak ke separuh akhir setiap kejohanan utama sehingga penamat tempoh kelayakan, penghujung April nanti.

Ianya harus bermula apabila mereka turun beraksi dalam Kejohanan Terbuka Malaysia di Stadium Putra, minggu depan.
Lantas diajukan pula persoalan, apakah faktor paling ditakutinya ketika membimbing semua pemain untuk mengejar sasaran layak ke Beijing, sebelum berusaha menjelmakan kilauan emas sulung untuk negara?

“Gangguan luaran. Ianya mampu hadir dalam pelbagai bentuk, terutama dalam bentuk tertekan kerana harapan tinggi yang disandarkan. Pemain sentiasa terdedah kepada persekitaran yang mampu mencipta situasi itu,” katanya.

Masalah itu pernah menjelma, ketika ianya mengganggu persiapan pemain negara menjelang Kejohanan Badminton Dunia di gelanggang sendiri, Ogos lalu. Akibatnya, hasrat melihat Malaysia memiliki juara dunia buat kali pertama, tidak kesampaian.

“Perlu ada keseimbangan. Semua pihak mahu melihat Malaysia memenangi pingat emas Olimpik. Di pihak saya dan jurulatih serta pemain-pemain, kami akan berusaha dan melakukan segala persiapan terbaik untuk cuba menjadikannya kenyataan.

“Tetapi pihak lain juga perlu membantu. Saya sendiri akui betapa rasa bimbang itu ada. Jadi seharusnya kita sama-sama saling membantu supaya ianya tidak jadi terlalu membebankan untuk pemain,” katanya.


__________________________________________________ ______________

This is more on OG but it'll satisfy Indra & gang on the "differences of Indonesia Malay & Msian Malay.".
In this intv, seems Rexy also feel stressed.
Anyway, the main points :
1) His goal is to see 3 MD in OG. It's very tough to achieve that, but Rexy wants to be optimistic.

2) Rexy says if OG MD dont get gold, he will 'step back' i.e. resign. Reporter pressed to ask if Rexy really goin to do that, he just laughed.

3) Pressure - Rexy more worried about 'outside influence'. Pressures that could come in all shapes & sizes. Like in last WC, where it caused Msia to falter at winning 1st WC title.

4) "There needs to be a balance. Everyone wants Msia to win the OG gold. All coaches & players are putting in a lot of effort, making the best preparations possible to realize this dream."
"BUT, other parties should also help. We should help each other so it wouldnt be too burdensome for the players." Directed to certain powers to be, me thinks.

Hubungan Misbun, Hafiz mula 'sejuk'

Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa


MUNGKINKAH perguruan hampir sedekad Hafiz Hashim bersama Misbun Sidek akan berkubur tidak lama lagi?

Kemungkinan itu terjelma selepas Hafiz makin kerap tidak hadir menjalani latihan bersama Misbun – hakikat yang ketara ketika kalendar badminton dunia untuk 2008 hampir tersingkap dengan Kejohanan Terbuka Malaysia, minggu depan.

Semalam, kelibat Hafiz tidak kelihatan di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, ketika Misbun tekun melatih Lee Chong Wei dan Kuan Beng Heong selain beberapa pemain remaja lainnya.


Diajukan persoalan di mana Hafiz, jawapan Misbun begitu mudah: "Kadang kala dia datang, kadang kala dia tak datang."

Mengapa pula begitu?

"Kadang-kadang, bila kita suruh orang minum air, orang tak nak minum, kita tidak boleh buat apa-apa. Sekarang ini, kadang-kadang bila tidak mahu, kita tidak dapat membantu.
Kadang-kadang dia beri alasan. Kalau dia sakit, saya nak buat apa? Saya suruh dia berehatlah. Itu sahaja yang saya boleh beri pandangan," kata Misbun.

Hafiz diundi bertemu Chong Wei pada pusingan pertama Terbuka Malaysia, minggu depan. Daripada apa yang difahamkan, 'kehilangannya' sudah berlanjutan sejak beberapa minggu lalu.

Tetapi Hafiz, dihubungi kemudiannya, menafikan wujud masalah di antaranya dan Misbun.

"Saya ada urusan dengan majikan. Saya tidak maklumkan terus kepada jurulatih, tetapi ada hantar pesan menerusi kawan. Mungkin pesan itu tidak sampai," katanya yang bertegas dia tetap berlatih bersama Misbun.
Situasi itu tampak dibiarkan tergantung, dengan Misbun sendiri keberatan untuk muktamadkan situasi ini ketika menegaskan dia punya keutamaan lain serta pelbagai perkara yang perlu difikirkan.

"Saya tidak mahu ulas panjang, habiskan dulu pertandingan. Saya ada hal nak difikirkan tahun ini. Kalau katakan tak dapat dua atau tiga, satu pun jadilah," katanya yang mungkin mampu ditafsir sebagai meletakkan cabaran Chong Wei selaku keutamaan.

Misbun juga berkata dia tidak mengetepikan Hafiz, cuma 'kadang-kadang, dia ketepikan diri sendiri.'

"Kena ada jalan keluar. Sekarang ini, saya di sini, selalu ada di sini. Kalau awak tak datang, bukan bermakna saya yang tidak datang. (Cuma) saya tidak mahu panjangkan (isu ini)," kata Misbun.

Pengurus Besar Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Kenny Goh, mengakui betapa badan induk berkenaan mengetahui situasi berkenaan, tetapi akan menanti laporan serta mahu berbincang dengan Misbun terlebih dulu.

"Ada baiknya kita tidak membuat pelbagai spekulasi ketika ini. Selepas Terbuka Malaysia dan Terbuka Korea nanti, saya akan duduk berbincang dengan Misbun mengenai perkara ini," katanya.
__________________________________________________ _______________

On Misbun & Hafiz, hmmmm, interesting, Misbun dont often comment.

The above is from Berita Harian

eaglehelang, you might as well post just the summaries instead :)
Without translations, these reposts don't mean much to non-Malaysian members :rolleyes:

Um, do we have volunteers to translate these? :o

eaglehelang, you might as well post just the summaries instead :)
Without translations, these reposts don't mean much to non-Malaysian members :rolleyes:

Um, do we have volunteers to translate these? :o

Translation coming, coming, patience, patience. If only post summary, there'll another group who want to know what Misbun actually said in Malay. Most BCers are Msia, Indonesia, Spore anyway.
If post only link, the link wouldnt work if they read the news a few days later.

Better still, no need post non-Eng news, then no complain:D:D. Save my energy ;).

[quote=eaglehelang;760910]Hubungan Misbun, Hafiz mula 'sejuk'

Oleh Ahmad Khawari Isa


MUNGKINKAH perguruan hampir sedekad Hafiz Hashim bersama Misbun Sidek akan berkubur tidak lama lagi?

Kemungkinan itu terjelma selepas Hafiz makin kerap tidak hadir menjalani latihan bersama Misbun – hakikat yang ketara ketika kalendar badminton dunia untuk 2008 hampir tersingkap dengan Kejohanan Terbuka Malaysia, minggu depan.

Semalam, kelibat Hafiz tidak kelihatan di Stadium Juara, Bukit Kiara, ketika Misbun tekun melatih Lee Chong Wei dan Kuan Beng Heong selain beberapa pemain remaja lainnya.

Is it possible after a decade Hafiz (training) with Misbun, that it will soon end?

This possibility arises when Hafix more & more often dont come for training with Misbun - when MO will start next week.

Yesterday, Hafiz was not seen at Stadium Juara, where Misbun was diligently trainig LCW, KBH & junior players.


Diajukan persoalan di mana Hafiz, jawapan Misbun begitu mudah: "Kadang kala dia datang, kadang kala dia tak datang."

Mengapa pula begitu?

"Kadang-kadang, bila kita suruh orang minum air, orang tak nak minum, kita tidak boleh buat apa-apa. Sekarang ini, kadang-kadang bila tidak mahu, kita tidak dapat membantu.
Kadang-kadang dia beri alasan. Kalau dia sakit, saya nak buat apa? Saya suruh dia berehatlah. Itu sahaja yang saya boleh beri pandangan," kata Misbun.

When asked where is Hafiz, Misbun gave a simple answer : "Sometimes he comes, sometimes he doesnt"
Why - "Sometimes when we ask someone to drink water, if they dont want to drink, cannot do anything. Sometimes when dont want, we cannot help.
Sometimes HH give excuse, he's sick. If he's sick, what am I to do? I told him, rest-lah. That's all my comment."

Hafiz diundi bertemu Chong Wei pada pusingan pertama Terbuka Malaysia, minggu depan. Daripada apa yang difahamkan, 'kehilangannya' sudah berlanjutan sejak beberapa minggu lalu.

Tetapi Hafiz, dihubungi kemudiannya, menafikan wujud masalah di antaranya dan Misbun.

"Saya ada urusan dengan majikan. Saya tidak maklumkan terus kepada jurulatih, tetapi ada hantar pesan menerusi kawan. Mungkin pesan itu tidak sampai," katanya yang bertegas dia tetap berlatih bersama Misbun.
Situasi itu tampak dibiarkan tergantung, dengan Misbun sendiri keberatan untuk muktamadkan situasi ini ketika menegaskan dia punya keutamaan lain serta pelbagai perkara yang perlu difikirkan.

"Saya tidak mahu ulas panjang, habiskan dulu pertandingan. Saya ada hal nak difikirkan tahun ini. Kalau katakan tak dapat dua atau tiga, satu pun jadilah," katanya yang mungkin mampu ditafsir sebagai meletakkan cabaran Chong Wei selaku keutamaan.

Hafiz - when asked about it, Hafiz denied baving any problems with Misbun, say he's still training with Misbun. Haifz - "I have things to discuss with my employer. I didnt tell the coach direct but asked a friend to pass the message. Maybe the message didnt get thru.

Misbun - "I dont want to comment long abt this, finish the tournaments 1st. I have many other things to think about this year. If dont get 2 or 3, one also enuf."- the reporter interpret that putting LCW as priority.

Misbun juga berkata dia tidak mengetepikan Hafiz, cuma 'kadang-kadang, dia ketepikan diri sendiri.'

"Kena ada jalan keluar. Sekarang ini, saya di sini, selalu ada di sini. Kalau awak tak datang, bukan bermakna saya yang tidak datang. (Cuma) saya tidak mahu panjangkan (isu ini)," kata Misbun.

Misbun also said he does not sideline Hafiz, but sometimes Hafiz sideline himself.
"There has to be a way out. I am frequently here. If you dont come, dont mean I dont come. Just I dont want this issue to drag on."

Pengurus Besar Persatuan Badminton Malaysia (BAM), Kenny Goh, mengakui betapa badan induk berkenaan mengetahui situasi berkenaan, tetapi akan menanti laporan serta mahu berbincang dengan Misbun terlebih dulu.

"Ada baiknya kita tidak membuat pelbagai spekulasi ketika ini. Selepas Terbuka Malaysia dan Terbuka Korea nanti, saya akan duduk berbincang dengan Misbun mengenai perkara ini," katanya.

BAM GM, Kenny Goh - "Better we dont speculate about this now. After MO & KO, I will sit with Misbun to discuss this."
__________________________________________________ _______________

Misbun said it in flowery style but can see he's frustrated. One time last year, he did want to put Hafiz under another coach to lift Hafiz's game but didnt work out. Also, as some of you know, the 'sensational' news stimes come from Malay press.

Candra-Tony pasangan liat

Oleh Sufian Thauri Muhammed
sufianthauri@hmetro.com.my


KEPERITAN menentang beregu berpengalaman, Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan masih dirasai pemain negara, Mohd Zakry Latif yang dijangka menentang gandingan jaguh Indonesia dan Amerika Syarikat itu di pusingan kedua Terbuka Malaysia, minggu depan.

Dia dan pasangannya, Mohd Fairuzizuan Tazari menewaskan Candra-Tony pada separuh akhir Terbuka Indonesia tahun lalu, tapi kesan perlawanan itu menyebabkannya terlalu penat dan sakit-sakit badan.

“Mereka lawan paling sukar pernah kami temui. Di Terbuka Indonesia, saya berasa amat penat dan sakit-sakit badan selepas berhempas pulas menewaskan mereka dalam tiga set.

“Kami terpaksa menggunakan banyak tenaga kerana menghadapi kesukaran mematikan bulu tangkis. Bagi mencapai kemenangan, kami terpaksa menggunakan banyak tenaga dengan bermain rali panjang kerana itulah kelebihan kami sebagai beregu yang lebih muda,” katanya.

Di sebalik bersedia menghadapi kemungkinan bertemu Candra-Tony, Zakry dan Fairuzizuan terlebih dulu perlu mengatasi cabaran beregu Indonesia, Luluk Hadiyanto-Chandra Alvent Yulianto.

Rekod pertemuan tunggal mereka memihak kepada beregu negara, namun Zakry tidak mahu terlalu yakin.

“Peluang kami untuk mencatatkan kemenangan adalah 50-50. Saya tidak mahu terlalu yakin tetapi kami fikir peluang kami untuk memenangi perlawanan adalah seimbang,” katanya.

Zakry menyifatkan prestasinya dan Fairuzizuan berada pada tahap terbaik ketika ini selepas mereka mengenal pasti dan menangani beberapa kelemahan yang dikesan tahun lalu.

Prestasi mereka muncul naib juara Copenhagen Master, Disember lalu, juga menunjukkan persembahan mereka semakin matang.

“Masalah kami sekarang adalah mengawal emosi apabila bermain di peringkat separuh akhir dan final. Keinginan kuat untuk meraih kemenangan menyebabkan kadang kala kami tidak melaksanakan strategi yang disusun dan terdorong melakukan kesilapan.

“Saya berharap masalah itu akan dapat kami atasi di Terbuka Malaysia,” katanya.

Zakry-Fairuzizuan yang mula digandingkan tahun lalu menduduki ranking ke-16 dunia ketika ini dan adalah beregu ketiga negara di belakang Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong serta Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah.

from Harian Metro, 9 Jan 2008
__________________________________________________ _____________
Interview with Zakry/Fairuz, also a similar intv in The Star but nothing significant was said, maybe language barrier.

1) Zakry/Fariuz with play against Tony/Chandra in 2nd round in MO.
2) Fairuz :regard Tony/Chandra as their toughest opponent. They had to use a lof energy to beat Tony/Chandra in Indonesia Open Semi, 2007. After 3 sets, their whole body also ache. Had to play long rallies to beat Tony/Chandra, that's the advantage of being young pair.

3) Zakry : wouldnt want to be too confident. Chance of winning 50-50.
4) Zakry : Their main prob = controlling emotion during SemiF & Finals. Too eager to win -> dont follow strategy, make errors. Hope to overcome that in MO.
5) Zakry : Their game now more matured after overcoming some weaknesses indentified in 2007. More maturity shows from their runner-up finish at Copenhagen Masters.

from The Star

Sunday January 13, 2008


Wan Wah braces for more heartbreak at Putra Stadium

KUALA LUMPUR: The Putra Stadium holds only bitter memories for national men’s doubles shuttler Lee Wan Wah.

The stadium is fast proving to be his 'bogey venue’ as he has yet to emerge triumphant after competing in two major tournaments there.

And it is unlikely that his luck would change when he gets into action with his partner Choong Tan Fook in the Malaysian Open at the venue beginning on Wednesday.

With Wan Wah only making a comeback after suffering a hamstring tear during the China Open last month, it is unlikely that he will go all the way to win his second home title.
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/1/13/sports/60tan.jpg Tough task: Wan Wah (left) is making a comeback after suffering a hamstring tear during the China Open last month.

Wan Wah admitted that he has not had any joy for Malaysia at the Putra Stadium so far, with Malaysia not faring well in the 2000 Thomas Cup Finals and the last year’s World Championships.

“Tan Fook and I won all our matches except for the tie against South Korea in the Thomas Cup Finals eight years ago at Putra but Malaysia eventually failed to make it to the semi-finals. That was disappointing,” he said.

“At the world meet, although we beat the defending champions, but we eventually lost in the semi-finals (to earn a bronze medal).”

In the world meet, Wan Wah-Tan Fook were Malaysia’s top performers.
The duo upset defending champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China but fell to Indonesians Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan in the last four.

For the Malaysian Open, Wan Wah said he would consider it as an accomplishment if they could reach the quarter-finals.

Drawn in his same quarter are Denmark’s Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen and team-mates Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, the top seeds, and Ong Soon Hock-Tan Bin Shen.

“I got back to training only two weeks ago. I am not at my best yet. So even a quarter-final finish will be a good start for me this year,” said Wan Wah.
Although the Putra Stadium has proved to be a bane for him, Wan Wah expects it to be a boon for his team-mates.

He said that based on the players’ form in training, Kien Keat-Boon Heong seem to be on the right track to defend their men’s doubles crown.
“Except for me, the others in the team have improved a lot. Koo and Tan, especially, have a good shot at winning the title again,” he added.

From NST online

Monday January 14,2008

Badminton/Malaysia Open 2008: Joo Bong tells Malaysian pair to drop fancy stuff

By : Ajitpal Singh (ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my)
KOO Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong may be the world's top ranked men's doubles but South Korean badminton legend Park Joo Bong believes the Malaysian pair will struggle to win when it matters - like in the Olympics - if they continue to be overly flamboyant on court.
"Kien Keat-Boon Heong tend to turn the heat on themselves by being too fancy in their matches," said Joo Bong at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

"Being a show-off on court is no longer the way to win matches. Nowadays, it's all about applying the right strategies and tactics."

"They need to concentrate on improving on these aspects or face the possibility of a big disappointment at the Beijing Olympic Games in August.

"Winning the world title or the Olympic gold is what matters now. It's no longer a big thing to win 'Open' titles."
Joo Bong, who is regarded as the best doubles player ever, says his most cherished moment on court was winning the men's doubles gold medal with Kim Moon Soo in the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Joo Bong, currently the head coach of the Japanese team, added that Kien Keat-Boon Heong tend to be complacent when playing weaker opponents.

"I have seen them struggle against unknown pairs. My advice to them is to show respect to their opponents, regardless of their world rankings."

Ironically, the Malaysian pair's two most famous defeats to lower ranked pairs last year were against Japanese.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong crashed in the second round of the French Open to Tadashi Ohtsuka-Keita Masuda and were then beaten in the quarter-finals of the Kuala Lumpur World Championships to Shuichi Sakamoto-Shintaro Ikeda.

However, Joo Bong, tipped Kien Keat-Boon Heong as one of three pairs who could win the men's doubles title in the Olympics.

"I am basing this on last year's performances. If Kien Keat-Boon Heong can buck up before the Olympics, I believe they can win the gold medal," said Joo Bong, who named reigning world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia and World No 3 Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China as the other two pairs.

- PETER Gade Christensen of Denmark will not be defend his Malaysia Open title after having withdrawn from tournament which begins at the Putra Stadium tomorrow, due to personal reasons.

Christensen, the fourth seed, didn't travel with the Danish team and his coach Thomas Stuer Lauridsen said a close relative of Christensen is gravely ill and they player opted not to travel.

Reasonable predictions from the maestro himself.

Right now, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong, Markis Kido/Hendra Setiawan and Fu Haifeng/Cai Yun are the favorites for the Gold Medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Lin Dan Takut Kalah?

taken from : http://bolanews.com/edisi-cetak/bultang.htm (ina sport newspaper)

Pebulutangkis terbaik dunia, Lin Dan, absen dari turnamen pembuka tahun 2008, Malaysia Super Series. Betulkah dia memilih tidak tampil akibat masih trauma dengan kegagalan tahun lalu atau karena alasan lain?

Tak ada jawaban pasti. Absennya pemain kelahiran Fujian, 14 Oktober 1983 itu tetap menimbulkan tanda tanya besar. Pasalnya, di saat seluruh pemain top dunia tumplek blek di Stadion Putra, Bukit Jalil, 15-20 Januari, dia malah mangkir.

Tahun lalu, sebagai unggulan pertama ternyata Super Dan malah terjengkang di babak awal. Setelah mengatasi Taufik Hidayat, di babak kedua Lin Dan dijungkalkan Park Sung-hwan (Korea), 14-21, 17-21. Kekalahan bintang Cina tersebut merupakan kejutan terbesar di awal tahun.

Nah, kini dia tidak tampil. Alasan sesungguhnya juga tidak didapat. Dalam situs bulutangkis juga tidak disebutkan alasannya. Wajar kalau kemudian muncul spekulasi Lin Dan takut akan peruntungannya di awal tahun.

Uniknya, sepekan kemudian dia tampil pada Korea Super Series, 22-27 Januari di Jangchoong Gymnasium, Jung-gu, Seoul. Apalagi turnamen tersebut menyediakan hadiah terbesar di kategori Super Series, yaitu 300 ribu dolar AS. Selain ingin mempertahankan mahkota, besarnya hadiah tentu menjadi daya tariknya.

Sepanjang tahun lalu, Lin Dan termasuk paling meroket prestasinya. Dia menyabet lima gelar turnamen kategori Super Series, yaitu Korea, All England, Cina, Denmark, dan Hong Kong serta ditambah dengan Grand Prix Jerman Terbuka dan juara dunia 2007.

Jadi, benarkah Lin Dan takut? (bhw)

taufik-ist, will you be translating this?

nice articles here..heating up mlsia open..huhu

NO,..LD not affraid of anyone...the reason he will not play in Mas Open is he has blisters on his foots ... not like that lah....hehehehe

from The Star

Same main points from PJB

Joo-bong cool about Korean chances in Beijing
By LIM TEIK HUAT


KUALA LUMPUR: Former doubles specialist Park Joo-bong felt the current top Korean pair of Lee Yong-dae-Jung Jae-sung have an uphill task to defend the country's proud tradition of producing Olympic winners in the men's doubles.

The former Olympic gold medallist for South Korea sees current world number one Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China and world champions Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia as the top three contenders.

“These three pairs will be fighting it out for the gold this time. Based on their overall performance and results last year, they have the better chance. They are also more consistent than the others and more importantly, gained the experience of what it takes to win big tournaments,” said Joo-bong.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ha Tae-kwon-Kim Dong-moon secured the Olympic gold medal for South Korea – beating team-mate Lee Yong-soo-Yoo Yong-sung in the final.

Dong-soo-Yong-sung and Tae-kwon-Dong-moon were the silver and bronze medallists in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“The top Korean pair have an outside chance to win a medal compared to the top pairs from China, Malaysia and Indonesia. They are not as solid as the previous pairs,” said Joo-bong, who is now the chief coach of the Japanese national team.

Haifeng-Cai Yun won the world title in Madrid in 2006 and Markis-Hendra won the edition in Kuala Lumpur last year, beating Yong-dae-Jae-sung in the final.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong failed in their bid to land the world title but they are still one of the top pairs to beat based on their reputation of having won seven titles since they forged a partnership in October, 2005. Among the major titles under their belts are the Asian Games and the All-England.

And Joo-bong, who had a stint as coach of the Malaysian team for almost five years until 2002, felt it is within the ability of Kien Keat-Boon Heong to successfully defend their Malaysian Open title.

“This will be the first Super Series tournament and I think everyone will want to do well from now until the end of Olympic qualifying period in April,” he said.

“Koo-Tan is one of the exciting pairs to watch because they are both good attacking players. Koo is also good at the net and they have a very good chance to win as long as they do not become too over-confident.
“A thing I noticed is the pair tend to start to play a fancy game once they get too comfortable and they should be all right as long as they avoid this. It does not serve a purpose if you concentrate too much on beautiful play because every mistake you make will reward your opponent with a point.”

also from The Star

On Peter's Gade withdrawal from MO

Missing Christensen
By RAJES PAUL


KUALA LUMPUR: Denmark's Peter Gade-Christensen will not defend the men's singles title in the Malaysian Open, which begins on Wednesday at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

He did not arrive with the Danish team yesterday. He remained at home to be with one of his close family members who is ill.

In the absence of Gade-Christensen, coach Thomas Stuer Lauridsen said that Denmark would be happy if any one of their players reached the semi-finals.

“Peter had always loved to play in Malaysia but he was sad that this time he could not make it. But it will be a bad idea to come here because it is only right for him to be with his family members at this time,” said Lauridsen.
“He may return to competition at the Korean Open next week.”

Gade-Christensen has never failed to make a trip to Malaysia since he won his first Malaysian Open title in 1998.

In fact, he made his most memorable outing in Malaysia last year. He was warded in hospital with severe migraine upon his arrival but went on to win the title.

Lauridsen said that Denmark were more focused on doing well in the European Championships, Thomas Cup Finals and the Beijing Olympics this year.

“We have four good men's doubles pairs. And our women's singles, Tine (Rasmussen), is playing well. We will be happy if they can make it to the semi-finals of the Malaysian Open. But our priorities are not the back-to-back Malaysian and Korean Opens. We want them to do well in the three big ones – European, Thomas Cup and Olympics,” he said.

Without Gade-Christensen, the path for top seed Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia is clearer in the top half of the draw.

The Dane was tipped to meet either Nusa Mahsuri's Mohd Roslin Hashim or KLRC Bhd's Sairul Amar Ayob in the second round and was drawn to play against either Chong Wei or Taufik in the semi-finals.

If everything goes according to the book, Chong Wei and Taufik are expected to clash in the quarter-finals.
For the record, Gade-Christensen is the second big name to miss action in the men's singles event. World number one Lin Dan of China is also giving the Malaysian Open the skip.

__________________________________________________ _____________

Jangan takut kalah

Oleh Sufian Thauri Muhammed


JAGUH perseorangan wanita negara, Wong Mew Choo bukan sahaja perlu bergelut dengan kecederaan, tetapi juga mengatasi halangan psikologi apabila memulakan saingan pusingan pertama Terbuka Malaysia di Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Rabu ini.

Jurulatihnya, Wong Tat Meng, berkata Mew Choo berasa tertekan untuk mencapai keputusan baik di hadapan penyokong sendiri susulan kejayaan memenangi Terbuka China, tahun lalu.

WMC when facing the MO challenge, not only has to deal with knee injury but psychology barrier.

Her coach Wong Tat Meng, says WMC feels the pressure to deliver good results in front of home crowd following her win in China Open.


“Mentalnya tertekan kerana dia berasakan diletakkan harapan tinggi untuk meraih pencapaian yang sama di China.

“Saya menasihatkannya supaya jangan fikir dia tidak boleh kalah. Mana ada pemain yang tidak boleh kalah.


“Lagipun Terbuka China sudah berlalu dan jadi sejarah. Sekarang tahun 2008 dan dia sepatutnya memikirkan masa sekarang,” katanya

"Mentally she's under pressure cos she feels high expectations are placed on her to achieve same results as China.
"I advise her not to think she cannot lose. Where got player who cannot lose."
"Anyway China Open has passed & become history. Now is 2008, she must think of the present."

Tat Meng juga berkata, tekanan boleh menyebabkan seseorang pemain itu takut kepada kekalahan.

“Takut kalah boleh memberikan kesan negatif kerana menjadikan seseorang itu tidak bermain pada tahap sebenar berikutan bimbang melakukan kesilapan.

“Keadaan itu berbeza kalau seseorang pemain memburu kemenangan kerana dia akan melakukan yang terbaik untuk mendapatkan keputusan diinginkan itu,” katanya.

WTM says pressure can cause a player to be afraid of losing
"This fear of losing can give -ve effect because a player cannot play their best - due to fear of making mistakes."
"It's different if a player is chasing a win because they will do the best to get the desired result."


Begitupun dia yakin Mew Choo yang melakar kejutan dengan menundukkan empat pemain yang mempunyai ranking lebih baik daripadanya - Xie Xingfang, Zhang Ning dan Zhu Lin dari China dan pemain Perancis, Pi Hongyan - dalam laluannya untuk menjuarai Terbuka China tahun lalu, mampu mencatatkan keputusan memberangsangkan.

“Dia seorang pejuang, sentiasa serius dalam latihan meskipun kecederaannya belum pulih sepenuhnya.

“Dia perlu berasakan dirinya bukan pemain pilihan. Lihat sahaja di Terbuka China lalu, Mew Choo tidak diberikan harapan tinggi untuk memenangi kejohanan, tetapi dia muncul juara,” katanya.

WTM feels WMC is able to give a inspiring result. " She is a fighter, always serious in training although she hasnt fully recovered from injury."

"She has to feel that she is not seeded player. Look at China, WMC was not given high hopes to win, she won."


Kecederaan lutut Mew Choo menyaksikannya tidak dapat beraksi di Sukan Sea Korat dan di Terbuka Malaysia, dia akan memulakan cabaran dengan menentang rakan senegara, Julia Wong.

“Saya tidak fikir Mew Choo akan mendapat laluan mudah apabila menentang Julia kerana kedua-duanya sudah biasa dengan corak permainan masing-masing,” katanya.

Jika menang, Mew Choo yang diletakkan sebagai pilihan kelapan dijangka berhadapan dengan pemain Singapura, Li Li sebelum mengharungi ujian paling getir apabila bertemu Xie Xingfang di suku akhir.

"I dont think WMC will get easy path when playing Julia Wong cos both are used to each other's game play."

from Harian Metro, 14 Jan 2008

__________________________________________________ ____

Interview with Wong Tat Meng on WMC

thanks all for posting news and especially those who provide translations.

please make sure you provide translation if you are posting foreign language news.

for Taufik's fans

from NST, 15 Jan 2008
Taufik's plan to rekindle passion for game


15 January, 2008

OLYMPIC champion Taufik Hidayat (pic) wants to rekindle his love for badminton and the only way he can do so is by playing in fewer tournaments this year. The Beijing Olympics beckon but Taufik doesn't only want to defend the gold he won spectacularly in Athens four years ago.

Jakarta will host the Thomas Cup finals and Taufik wants to help his country regain the trophy Indonesia last won in 2002.

And there is also the All England, the only major title Taufik has never won.

"I have to admit that my love for badminton has dwindled over the years. I believe it has a lot to do with competing in too many competitions without proper preparation," said Taufik at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Besides the All-England (March 4-9) and Thomas Cup (May 11-18), the World No 7 will play in the Swiss Open (March 11-16) and Asian Championships (April 15-20) before the Beijing Games.

"It was bad last year for despite nursing knee and back injuries, I still played in no fewer than 10 competitions -- excluding the Korat Sea Games -- and won only one (Asian Championships)."

"I realise that if I continue with last year's pace, I will not achieve my prime goals this year."

On the Malaysian Open, Taufik said he was treating it as warm-up for the All-England.

"I injured my back again during training recently but I will try my best here."

More for Taufik fans

from Berita Harian
Taufik sasar 2008 lebih gemilang

Oleh Meor Hisham Zulkifli


SELEPAS terkandas di pusingan kedua Kejuaraan Dunia di Stadium Putra, pemain Indonesia, Taufik Hidayat, tampil sekali lagi di medan sama tahun ini, dengan tekad menjadikan 2008 tahun lebih gemilang buatnya.

Taufik terkandas di pusingan kedua selepas dikejutkan pemain muda India, Anup Sridhar pada Ogos lalu, menegaskan kehadirannya kali ini buat memastikan persediaannya memburu tiket ke Olimpik bagi mempertahankan emas yang diraih di Athens, berjalan lancar.

“Tahun lalu begitu memeritkan buat saya apabila terpaksa bergelut dengan pelbagai masalah peribadi selain berdepan dengan pelbagai kejohanan yang berlangsung menyaksikan pencapaian tidak begitu memberangsangkan,” katanya.

Taufik aims to make 2008 more glorious year for him.

"Last year was difficult for me when I had to struggle with a lot of personal problems plus my not so good performance in tournaments."


Ketika ditemui pada sesi latihan menjelang Terbuka Malaysia yang menjadi acara sulung dalam kalendar 2008 Siri Super badminton dunia, Taufik berkata, matlamat utama tahun ini bagi memastikan emas Olimpik tetap dalam genggamannya.

“Saya hanya memberikan tumpuan kepada lima kejohanan saja menjelang saingan ke Olimpik iaitu Terbuka Malaysia, Kejohanan Badminton Asia, Seluruh England, dan Terbuka Switzerland selain Piala Thomas. Saya yakin, layak ke Olimpik hanya menerusi empat kejohanan ini saja,” katanya.

Main aim is to defend his OG title in Aug.
"I will only concentrate on 5 tournaments before OG that is : MO, ABC, All England, Swiss Open and Thomas Cup. I am confident of qualifying for OG from these 4 tournaments (exclude Thomas Cup)."

Walaupun berada pada ranking ketujuh dunia di belakang seorang lagi pemain Indonesia, Sony Dwi Kunchoro, Taufik kelihatan yakin kedudukannya masih selesa untuk mara ke Olimpik walaupun kecederaan belakang masih kembali menghantui dirinya awal bulan ini.

Taufik ranked World no 7 still confident of his position although back injury still haunts him.

Here's the news from our daily Kompas, the most respected newspaper in INA.



Awal Buruk bagi Indonesia -- "Bad Start for Indonesia"


jakarta, kompas - Tim bulu tangkis Indonesia mengawali penampilannya pada turnamen Malaysia Super Series di Putra Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rabu (16/1), dengan hasil buruk. Tiga ganda campuran, dua ganda putra, satu tunggal putra, dan satu tunggal putri tersingkir pada babak pertama.

The INA badminton squad started their campaign in the Malaysia Super Series in the Putra Stadium, KL, Malaysia, on Wednesday (16/1) badly. Three mixed doubles, two men's doubles, one men's singles, and one women's singles were eliminated on the first round.

Dua wakil di antara para pemain yang tersingkir itu bahkan ditempatkan sebagai unggulan, yaitu ganda campuran Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa yang menjadi unggulan keempat dan unggulan kelima tunggal putra, Sony Dwi Kuncoro.

Two of those who lost were seeded players: the 4th-seeded Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa in the mixed doubles and the 5th-seeded Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the men's singles

Seperti terdapat dalam situs turnamen, Flandy/Vita, bahkan, kalah dalam pertandingan dua game dari Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Britta Andersen, 12-21, 15-21, dalam waktu 30 menit.

According to the tournament website, Flandy/Vita even lost the match in straight-sets to Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Britta Andersen 12-21, 15-21, in just 30 mins.

Padahal, dengan absennya ganda campuran nomor satu dunia, Zheng Bo/Gao Ling, Flandy/Vita berpeluang besar menjadi finalis dari pul atas. Sayang, mereka tak dapat memanfaatkan kesempatan tersebut dengan tersingkir pada babak pertama.

With the absence of the world no 1 in the mixed doubles, Zheng Bo/Gao Ling, Flandy/Vita had a fantastic opportunity to be the finalist from the top half of the draw. Unfortunately, they could not even take advantage of this opportunity with their first-round elimination.

Pada pertandingan sebelumnya, Muhammad Rijal/Greysia Polii juga kalah dua game. Mereka kalah dari ganda Inggris, David Lindley/Suzanne Rayappan, 20-22, 6-21.

In the earlier match, Mohd Rijal/Greysia Polii also lost in straight sets to the English pair, David Lindley/Suzanne Rayappan 20-22, 6-21.

Penampilan mereka di Malaysia Super Series menjadi yang pertama setelah terakhir kali keduanya bermain di Kejuaraan Dunia, Agustus 2007. Hingga akhir tahun lalu, mereka absen pada turnamen-turnamen internasional menyusul cederanya Grace saat tampil di Kejuaraan Dunia.

Their showing in the Malaysia Super Series were the first after they were last seen competing in the World Championships in August 2007. They were absent in the tournaments in the second half of 2007 due to Grace's injury during the World Championships.

Dengan kondisi inilah, seperti disebutkan Antara, pelatih ganda campuran Richard Mainaky yang berada di Jakarta mengatakan, kemungkinan Rijal/Greysia tengah mengembalikan rasa percaya diri setelah lama tidak bertanding.

As quoted by Antara, according to the mixed doubles coach, Richard Mainaky who is in Jakarta said that with this situation, Rijal/Greysia are in the process of gaining back their confidence after a long absence from top-level competion.

Kekalahan Flandy/Vita dan Rijal/Greysia diikuti kekalahan ganda campuran lainnya, Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita, dari ganda Jerman, Kristof Hopp/Birgit Overzier, 12-21, 15-21.

Flandy/Vita and Rijal/Greysia's losses were followed by another mixed doubles pair, Devin Lahardi/Lita Nurlita, who lost to the German pair, Kristoff Hopp/Birgit Overzier 12-21, 15-21.

Dengan tersingkirnya tiga ganda campuran tersebut, Indonesia tinggal berharap pada juara dunia Nova Widianto/Lilyana Natsir. Mereka akan melawan Ingo Kindervater/Kathrin Piotrowski setelah mengalahkan Fang Chieh Min/Cheng Wen Hsing, 18-21, 21-19, 21-16.

Pada tunggal putra, Sony kalah dari pemain Korea Selatan, Lee Hyun Ill, 21-12, 22-24, 16-21. Sony sebenarnya berpeluang menang dalam dua game ketika di game kedua mendapat empat kali match point. Namun, keunggulannya sejak skor 20-18 terkejar oleh Hyun Ill.

Kekalahan juga hampir dialami Taufik Hidayat dari pemain Korsel lainnya, Park Sung Hwan. Setelah kalah 15-21 pada game pertama, persaingan memperebutkan angka yang ketat terjadi menjelang akhir game kedua. Beruntung setelah skor imbang 20-20, Taufik menang, 22-20. Adapun pada game ketiga, Taufik menang 21-16.

Indonesia juga masih memiliki wakil tunggal putra pada babak kedua, yaitu Simon Santoso dan Andre Kurniawan Tedjono. Namun, Simon harus berhadapan dengan Taufik pada pertandingan hari ini hingga Indonesia dipastikan akan kehilangan salah satu pemain.

Pada ganda putra, dua wakil yang tersingkir adalah Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto dan Joko Riyadi/Hendra Aprida Gunawan. Sementara pada tunggal putri, Pia Zebadiah yang harus main sejak kualifikasi kalah dari Kanako Yonekura. (iya)

In the men's doubles, two representatives who lost were Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto and Joko Riyadi/Hendra Aprida Gunawan. Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Pia Zebadiah who had been playing since qualification round, lost to Kanako Yonekura.

Badminton/Malaysia Open 2008: Danish blow for Koo and Tan


18 January, 2008

WORLD No 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were brought down to earth by former world champions Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark in the second round of the Malaysia Open at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday. An out of sorts Boon Heong almost singlehandedly brought about the downfall and despite Kien Keat's efforts to avoid an embarrassing exit, Paaske-Rasmussen roared to a 21-19, 18-21, 21-16 win in 59 minutes.

However, Malaysia's interest in the men's doubles stayed alive after veterans Choong Tan Fok-Lee Wan Wah and former national pair Chew Choon Eng-Chan Chong Ming reached the last eight.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah, however, had to overcome tough resistance from compatriots Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock before prevailing 19-21, 21-18, 21-18 in 49 minutes.

Chong Ming-Choon Eng's fairytale run continued when they defeated Taiwan's Tsai Chia Hsin-Hu Chung Hsien 21-13, 13-21, 21-14 in 42 minutes to reach the last eight.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah face Paaske-Rasmussen today.

Chong Ming-Choon Eng will meet either third seeds Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China or Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk of Thailand next.

In a late second round encounter, Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari lost to Olympic champions Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan of Indonesia 23-21, 21-18.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong began their match sluggishly and allowed Paaske-Rasmussen to dictate terms in the first game.

The Danes dominated the attack and pulled away to a 20-15 lead.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong made a late rally to come within a point of drawing level but Paaske-Rasmussen halted the surge with a 21-19 win.

Kien Keat started the fight back in the second game as he covered an erratic Boon Heong well but victory didn't come easy.

Kien Keat needed to rely on every bit of his experience to save the match and secured a close 21-18 win.

By the third game, Boon Heong was effectively out of the match and started playing like a novice.

There was some hope when the Malaysians took a 14-11 lead in the third game but it was easily wiped out by Paaske-Rasmussen who found Boon Heong an easy prey.

National doubles coach Rexy Mainaky expressed his disappointment with Kien Keat-Boon Heong's defeat.

"Like everyone else in the stadium, I'm disappointed with their defeat but there is always ups and downs in sports. They cannot keep on winning all the time," said Rexy.

"I did lose some silly matches as a player. Technically, they have no problems but they lack focus. I will have a post-mortem to iron out this weakness.

"Our main target is still the Olympics and I have faith that they will deliver in Beijing."

In the women's doubles, Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui were also knocked out by Taiwan's Chien Yu Chin-Cheng Wen Hsing 21-17, 21-18.

Malaysia's campaign in the mixed doubles came to an end when Razif Latif-Chong Sook Chin lost 21-18, 21-16 to Thailand's Sudket Parapakamol-Patapol Ngernsrisuk.
__________________________________________________ _____________
From NST, Rexy didnt say much.

...eaglehelang's buddy coming in..:rolleyes: :p

From The Star

Badminton: Koo-Tan lose to Danes


VETERANS Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng advanced to the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open badminton championships but the celebrations were muted following the shocking exit of defending champions Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil last night.

The signs were already there when the world number one pair struggled to beat third-ranked Indonesians Hendra Gunawan-Joko Riyadi in their opening match on Wednesday.

And their worst fears came true when they crashed 19-21, 21-18, 16-21 to former world champions Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark in the second round.

This is the second successive time that they have failed to make it past the early rounds of a Super Series tournament. Kien Keat-Boon Heong lost to Taiwan’s Tsai Chia-hsin-Hu Chung-shien in the second round of the China Open last November.

This time, Boon Heong proved to be the weak link and it was no surprise to see the Danish pair going on to claim victory in 59 minutes.

Kien Keat had to run all over the court to do most of the work and the Danish pair, world champions in 2003, capitalised on it by targeting Boon Heong in the rubber game.

Boon Heong committed numerous unforced errors in the rubber game to allow the veteran Danish pair to come back from 11-14 down and seal victory.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong had beaten the Danish pair twice before and yesterday’s defeat in their home Open was painful indeed, especially when they had high hopes of making a good start to their campaign for the year.

Despite the unexpected early defeat, doubles coach Rexy Mainaky chose not to blast the Malaysian pair for their poor display, saying “they are still the main hope for the Beijing Olympics in August”.

“This defeat in the Malaysian Open should not be used as the only yardstick to judge them.

“Our priority is still the Olympics and I believe they are good for the title there,” said Rexy, who also pleaded for support for the pair.

“We have to understand that no athlete can stay on the winning trail all the time. The pair have been performing well for some time and it’s more important for them to learn from this and come back stronger.”
Malaysia’s hopes now rest on the shoulders of Tan Fook-Wan Wah and Chong Ming-Choon Eng.

Tan Fook-Wan Wah, winners in 2004, overcame fellow Malaysians Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock 19-21, 21-18, 21-18 and will face Paaske-Rasmussen next.
Chong Ming-Choon Eng, who had to play their way from the qualifying rounds, continued with their impressive run by reaching the last eight when they scored a 21-13, 13-21, 21-14 win over world No 26 Chia-hsin-Chung-shien.

__________________________________________________ __________

Wah, Rexy plead for support some more. Seems TBH got nervy, could be WC ghosts haunting him, they do better as jaguh luar.

Also from The Star

Intv with Lars/Ramussen

Sweet revenge as Danish pair overcome Kien Keat-Boon Heong

FORMER world champions Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen of Denmark ended their losing streak against world number one Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in superb style at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The duo battled for 59 minutes to break the hearts of Malaysian fans by carving out a 21-19, 18-21, 21-16 win over the defending champion in a gripping second round match.
The world number 14th pair have now vowed to shut out veterans and 2004 Malaysian Open champions Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah in today’s quarter-finals.

The 31-year-old Paaske attributed their success to Boon Heong’s inability to stay calm at the crucial stages of the decider.

“The Malaysians did well in the first game and we got our act together in the second. It was up and down but it all came down to the final part of the third game. And Tan played some bad shots,” said Paaske.

“We were lucky to find the Malaysian pair’s weak link – Tan – and that was all what it took for us to nail this victory. They did not know what to do.

“We know they are strong. They have played exceptionally well in some tournaments. So, it feels great to finally beat them on their own home ground after losing twice to them.”

Paaske, who won the world title with Rasmussen in 2005, added that the win would strengthen their bid to be seeded in the Beijing Olympic Games.

“It will really help us in our qualification for the Olympics. We need the points to improve our world ranking into the top eight,” he said.

“Besides the Olympics, we are also aiming to do well in the All-England and Thomas Cup Finals. This is our second best win in a year. We had also beaten Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China in the Danish Open last year.”

On their chances against Tan Fook-Wan Wah, Paaske said: “I am as old as they are. We have played many times and I guess we know each other’s game well.
“If we can play with this speed and control the play as we did today, we have a shot at beating them.”

Wei Lee unhappy with his erratic form
By RAJES PAUL and LIM TEIK HUAT


NATIONAL number one men’s singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei was frustrated with his inconsistency despite reaching the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

The top seed and Malaysia’s best bet for honours should have found Poland’s Wacha Przemyslaw an easy prey but Chong Wei made life difficult for himself before prevailing 21-15, 15-21, 21-8 in the second round.

The three-time Malaysian Open champion knows he cannot afford to make silly mistakes when he takes on Indonesian Simon Santoso in the last eight today.

The 22-year-old Simon pulled off an upset win over his more illustrious compatriot Taufik Hidayat to dash badminton fans’ hopes of a mouth-watering quarter-final clash between Chong Wei and Taufik.

A cool Simon, with clever tricks and smart tactics up his sleeves, carved out a convincing 21-18, 21-16 win over Taufik in 40 minutes.

There was joy for national women’s singles ace Wong Mew Choo. The eighth seed saw off Swiss lass Jeanine Cicognini 21-14, 21-10 to set up a quarter-final clash against Japan’s Eriko Hirose today.

As for Chong Wei, there was frustration written all over his face.

“I still have not found my touch here. It was not my best performance at all today. I was quite slow,” lamented Chong Wei.

“I have to be blamed for allowing Wacha back into the game. I made mistakes and that gave him the confidence.”

Chong Wei has vowed to make it a magical moment for the home fans today.
“If I play like this, I am certainly heading for a defeat against Simon tomorrow (today). After beating Taufik, Simon will be riding a wave of confidence. But I am determined to come out of this. I will play my style of badminton,” said Chong Wei.

Simon, all smiles after beating Taufik for only the second time in his career, chose to remain cautious about his chances Chong Wei.

“It is always an achievement to beat Taufik. I am happy to have done it (beating Taufik) for a second time (after winning at the 2005 Indonesian Open). I played a patient game but it was a pity Taufik was not in his best condition,” said Simon, the world number 11.

“I am currently behind Taufik and Sony (Dwi Kuncoro) in the world rankings but I am still dreaming of making the cut for the Beijing Olympics. I will go all out to do well this year.

“Chong Wei is more stable in his game. Our record stands at 2-2. It will not be easy but I will definitely be out to get him.”

Taufik did not want to use his back problem as an excuse, saying: “Credit should be given to Simon. Beating your fellow countryman is understandable. Simon must also try to beat the other top guns in the world.”
Meanwhile, the challenge of KLRC Bhd’s Sairul Amar Ayob ended yesterday when he went down fighting 20-22, 21-5, 17-21 to South Korean Shon Seung-mo.

from The Star, on LCW's match against Wacha, Simon match against Taufik
__________________________________________________ _____________

...eaglehelang's buddy coming in..:rolleyes: :p
You mean you? Wanna help translate articles? Sure you run away fast if I say that.

from NST

Badminton/Malaysia Open 2008: World class singles players in short supply in Indonesia


18 January, 2008

INDONESIA'S chances of producing men's singles world champions in the near future look bleak, according to Taufik Hidayat's coach Mulyo Handoyo. Mulyo said that none of the current back-up shuttlers in the Indonesian national team have the potential to emulate Taufik's exploits on the world stage.

According to Mulyo, Taufik is a rare talent and presently none can walk in his shadow.

"I have searched high and low for a player like Taufik but to no avail," said Mulyo at Putra Stadium.

"Senior players like Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso are good but they have reached their limit. Even the junior team led by Tommy Sugiarto are not making much progress."

Taufik, 27, was discovered by Mulyo at the SGS club in Bandung in 1996 when the player was only 15.

Since then Mulyo has guided Taufik every step of the way culminating with an Olympic gold in Athens.

On whether Taufik will be able to return to his best for the Beijing Olympics, Mulyo said the player has been working hard to improve his strength and fitness to the level which won him the gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

"Taufik's dream is to retain the Olympic title in Beijing. Although he is the defending champion, he will not be under any pressure this time as players like Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Lee Chong Wei will be the main focus in the Olympics.

"I believe if the best of Taufik emerges in Beijing, he will retain the gold medal."

from NST

On line-judging

Badminton/Malaysia Open 2008: Players call for neutral umpires, TV replays


18 January, 2008

SEVERAL top shuttlers, who have been victims of bias line calls in the past, want the introduction of neutral line judges and the use of 'hawkeye' television replays at the Beijing Olympic in August.

Athens Olympics men's singles champion Taufik Hidayat, who has been an outspoken critic on the issue of biased line judges and umpires, alleged tournaments marred by questionable line calls were mainly in China, South Korea and Hong Kong.

"I have experienced it so many times especially when I play against the shuttlers from host country. These countries will do anything in their power to ensure their players get to the podium," said the Taufik, the 2005 world champion and two-time Asian Games gold medallist.

"I'm really sick and tired of competing in these countries and that is why I will not be playing in the Korea Open (Jan 22-27). They do not know that they are tarnishing the sport by doing it."

Taufik predicts that if nothing is done soon, the Beijing Olympics will also be marred by bad line calls.

Denmark's doubles specialists Jonas Rasmussen agreed with Taufik.

"The BWF (Badminton World Federation) should look at the options available. My personal opinion is that we should use television replays for close decisions," said Rasmussen.

You mean you? Wanna help translate articles? Sure you run away fast if I say that.
..your other buddy (see content of articles #62 & 64))...:p ;);)

During LCW vs Wacha, there was an IN ball but was called out by lineswoman. LCW standup n said it was IN to the umpire. Wacha was ferious with the line lady!!! And u know what happened next? Umpire overule the lines call.
I was seated w a few European fella right behind LCW. He said...u would not get that type of change in line call if u are in China!!!
We saw it clearly...it was IN!!! Way IN!!! The line lady was day dreaming r in awed with Wacha's tight butt!!!! hehe

Yes, I agreed with the technology to be used....get rid of all those discrepancies and awful calls!!

During LCW vs Wacha, there was an IN ball but was called out by lineswoman. LCW standup n said it was IN to the umpire. Wacha was ferious with the line lady!!! And u know what happened next? Umpire overule the lines call.
I was seated w a few European fella right behind LCW. He said...u would not get that type of change in line call if u are in China!!!
We saw it clearly...it was IN!!! Way IN!!! The line lady was day dreaming r in awed with Wacha's tight butt!!!! hehe

Yes, I agreed with the technology to be used....get rid of all those discrepancies and awful calls!!

Can tell us about KKK/TBH match with Lars/Jonas (if you watched it) but in the other thread : Day 3: Round 2 thread.

During LCW vs Wacha, there was an IN ball but was called out by lineswoman. LCW standup n said it was IN to the umpire. Wacha was ferious with the line lady!!! And u know what happened next? Umpire overule the lines call.
I was seated w a few European fella right behind LCW. He said...u would not get that type of change in line call if u are in China!!!
We saw it clearly...it was IN!!! Way IN!!! The line lady was day dreaming r in awed with Wacha's tight butt!!!! hehe

Yes, I agreed with the technology to be used....get rid of all those discrepancies and awful calls!!
Now, how do you know Wacha's butt is tight...did you squeeze it? :p:D

Now, how do you know Wacha's butt is tight...did you squeeze it? :p:D
damn funny...:D:D:p:cool::):):p:p:D:D
ahhahahh

Now, how do you know Wacha's butt is tight...did you squeeze it? :p:D

no it was too shiny.............heheheheh.................:D:D:D :D:D

From the Star, 20 Jan 2008

Four doubles players stride out on their own


FOUR men’s doubles players – Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock and Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui – quit the national team on Friday to seek a change of fortune in their pursuits for individual glory.

The 25-year-old Teik Chai said they had tendered their resignation to the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) officials on Friday.

In their absence, the remaining men’s pairs left in the elite squad are Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif, Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong.

While Teik Chai and Woon Fui may follow in the footsteps of Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng and find their own sponsors to compete in international tournaments, Bin Shen-Soon Hock have had talks with professional club KLRC Bhd.

The 25-year-old Teik Chai said they decided to leave because they felt that they had no future with the BAM and wanted to start afresh elsewhere.

“Yes, I am leaving. I have no future with the BAM. I am 25 years old and am ranked fifth in the national team (with Woon Fui). There is no opportunity for us with the BAM,” said Teik Chai.

“But I can’t blame anyone on this. I am not blaming BAM either. Instead, I thank them for taking care of us for a long time. But I have no results to show for. So, there is nothing for me to fight for here.”

He said he would give himself a year before deciding on his future as a badminton player.

“For now, Woon Fui and I will be out to find sponsors. We will see how we fare in international tournaments. Maybe, there will be a change of fortune when we are out there,” he said.

“I think, we have reached a junction where you either turn right or left. Well, we have decided to leave the BAM. It was great while it lasted.”

__________________________________________________ ____________

Well, well, no 4 & no 5 MD are leaving, sorta expected. One turn left, the other turn right.

Meanwhile, there are 3 back-up/junior pairs waiting in the wings - Razif/Khoo, Chan PS/CHang HP, Lim/Mak.

From the Star

Chong Wei meets former master’s prodigy in the final
By RAJES PAUL



JUST a year ago, national top men’s singles shuttler Lee Chong Wei was still a student learning the tricks of the trade from his master, Li Mao of China.

Then, they parted ways.

Today, Chong Wei will come face-to-face with his former mentor’s latest prodigy – South Korean Lee Hyun-il – in the men’s singles final of the Malaysian Open badminton championships at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

Yesterday, Chong Wei and Hyun-il took different routes to reach the final.
Chong Wei had to haul himself back from being 1-6 and 19-20 down in the first game to beat China’s Chen Yu 25-23, 21-11 while Hyun-il gave a polished display to upstage Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark 21-15 21-18 in the semi-finals.

Chong Wei’s quest for a fourth Malaysian Open title looked to be slipping away in the first game against Chen Yu. But, as usual, being the true fighter that he is, the Malaysian staged an impressive fightback to win 25-23.

The second game was all about the Malaysian and victory was never in doubt.

“I am thoroughly satisfied with my performance today (yesterday),” said the 25-year-old Chong Wei.

“Chen Yu pushed me to the limit in the first game but I am happy to have prevailed. The hard-fought win in the first game gave me the confidence that I needed

“I have been improving in every match. Hopefully, I will be able to go all the way and win it tomorrow (today).”

If Chong Wei manages to pull it off, he will be only the second Malaysian to win the most number of titles in the history of the Malaysian Open. The late Wong Peng Soon holds the record with eight titles under his belt.

Chong Wei may go into today’s final as the favourite, but Hyun-il has an ace up his sleeve in the form of Li Mao.

Li Mao certainly has the inside knowledge on Chong Wei’s game after coaching the Malaysian for two years before moving to South Korea in February last year.

In fact, Li Mao was Chong Wei’s coach at last year’s Malaysian Open when the Malaysian failed to go beyond the last eight.

“Yes, it will be quite odd to play against Hyun-il tomorrow (today). I know Li Mao will be sitting on the opposite side but then we are both professionals,” he said.

“Li Mao certainly knows a lot about my game and that could prove to be an advantage for Hyun-il. But I will be ready for them.

“Hyun-il plays a patient game and can last very long on court. I did not play against him at all last year but I expect our clash to be physically challenging.

“Last year, our doubles players won here. This year it’s the singles player’s turn. We – the singles and doubles – support each other,” added Chong Wei.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Wong Mew Choo failed to exact revenge on defending champion and world champion Zhu Lin of China when she went down 19-21, 12-21 in the semi-finals.

“I am not satisfied with my performance today. We were tied at 19-19 in the first game but I could not stay steady and made silly mistakes. She certainly played better,” said Mew Choo, who lost to Zhu Lin in the last year’s final.
With Mew Choo’s defeat, Malaysia’s 43-year wait for a woman champion continues.

from NST

Badminton: Azalina: BAM should be compensated


20 January, 2008

AS supportive as the BA of Malaysia is to the growth of clubs, it must not be at the expense of "pinching" players from the national body. In fact, Sports Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has even urged BAM to consider seeking compensation as public funds have been used to develop the players.

BAM doubles pairs Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock and Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui are the latest to pitch their tent with local club KLRC Bhd, which comes on the heels of former doubles ace Cheah Soon Kit joining as chief coach.

Hafiz Hashim, who is attached to another club - Nusa Mahsuri - has also been made a verbal offer by KLRC.

"We have always encouraged clubs but with two major events this year (the Thomas Cup in May and Beijing Olympics in August), we don't want our programmes to be disturbed," said BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Salleh yesterday.

"Pinching players is not what clubs are supposed to be doing and BAM has to review its open system."

Azalina was even more blunt.

"I am a committed supporter of clubs but their role is at the grassroots. If clubs insist on taking players from the national body, then I suppose BAM has to make things right.

"I am shocked that monetary gain is more important than national pride. The government has invested in these players and BAM should seek compensation," said Azalina.

Conflicting info on where Gan/Lin going but intv the Star got with Gan should be most accurate.

All right...so Rexy definitely has less headache with those non-performing pairs ;)

Once again....can't resist writing this one here....."KLRC BOLEH!!!" :p

"I am shocked that monetary gain is more important than national pride."

"The government has invested in these players and BAM should seek compensation," said Azalina.


Aren't those 2 statements a bit contradictory? :confused: Might even say its hypocritical but thats a bit strong..

MALAYSIA is a happy hunting ground for the Indonesian men's doubles pair of Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.


The duo put up a classy show yesterday to end the gallant run of Denmark's Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen in the Malaysian Open, winning an entertaining 48-minute final 21-10, 20-22, 21-18.

Last year, the Indonesians also stole the thunder at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, emerging as the world champions.

“We certainly like Malaysia. We have good results to show from here,” said the soft-spoken Hendra.

Although, they have been achieving good results for Indonesia and are currently ranked as their country's number one, Markis-Kido are not rated in the same class as their two predecessors – Ricky Subagja-Rexy Mainaky and Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan.

“Yes, they are our country's famed pair. No, we are certainly not on par with them. We will only consider that we are in the same rank as them when we win an Olympic gold medal – just like them,” said Hendra.

“Winning the Malaysian Open is a good start for us. Now, we hope to maintain this and go all the way to win the gold medal in our first appearance at the Olympics in Beijing in August.

On their main challengers for Olympic glory, Markis said: “It has to be Malaysia's Koo (Kien Keat)-Tan (Boon Heong). We have never beaten them in a tournament. The other pair is China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng.”

Despite the defeat yesterday, world number 14 Rasmussen-Paaske felt that they had given indication of being the pair to watch out for this year.

“We have beaten several top pairs here. We have made a statement here – that we are back to challenge for a medal at the Olympics,” said Rasmussen. Meanwhile, China went back home with two titles through Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen in the women's doubles and He Hanbin-Yu Yang in the mixed doubles.


Wow...very rarely does Kido/Hendra "expose" themselves to the media :D Must be Hau-Ge at work here....:p

MALAYSIA is a happy hunting ground for the Indonesian men's doubles pair of Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan.


The duo put up a classy show yesterday to end the gallant run of Denmark's Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen in the Malaysian Open, winning an entertaining 48-minute final 21-10, 20-22, 21-18.

Last year, the Indonesians also stole the thunder at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil, emerging as the world champions.

“We certainly like Malaysia. We have good results to show from here,” said the soft-spoken Hendra.

Although, they have been achieving good results for Indonesia and are currently ranked as their country's number one, Markis-Kido are not rated in the same class as their two predecessors – Ricky Subagja-Rexy Mainaky and Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan.

“Yes, they are our country's famed pair. No, we are certainly not on par with them. We will only consider that we are in the same rank as them when we win an Olympic gold medal – just like them,” said Hendra.

“Winning the Malaysian Open is a good start for us. Now, we hope to maintain this and go all the way to win the gold medal in our first appearance at the Olympics in Beijing in August.

On their main challengers for Olympic glory, Markis said: “It has to be Malaysia's Koo (Kien Keat)-Tan (Boon Heong). We have never beaten them in a tournament. The other pair is China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng.”

Despite the defeat yesterday, world number 14 Rasmussen-Paaske felt that they had given indication of being the pair to watch out for this year.

“We have beaten several top pairs here. We have made a statement here – that we are back to challenge for a medal at the Olympics,” said Rasmussen. Meanwhile, China went back home with two titles through Yang Wei-Zhang Jiewen in the women's doubles and He Hanbin-Yu Yang in the mixed doubles.


Wow...very rarely does Kido/Hendra "expose" themselves to the media :D Must be Hau-Ge at work here....:p

I was there when they got interviewed...for sure Badzine seldom wanted to interview them...( hope Raphael reads this..hehe!)

It's No 4 for Chong Wei

By Reports by K.M. Boopathy and Ajitpal Singhnstsport@nstp.com.my

21 January, 2008

LEE Chong Wei stormed to the Malaysia Open singles title yesterday at Putra Stadium to make amends for his failure at last year's World Championships. Chong Wei, slammed for his lost to Indonesia's Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the third round of the World Championships, this time played it smart against South Korean's Lee Hyun-Il to win 21-15, 11-21, 21-17.

"The World Championships defeat was a blessing in disguise as I started winning again after that. Also, I am happy that the Putra Stadium jinx has come to an end," said an elated and relieved Chong Wei after the match.

With yesterday's win, Chong Wei continues his affair with the Malaysia Open. He reached the final for the first time in 2003, then completed a hat-trick of titles between 2004 and 2006, and yesterday clinched his fourth in the presence of deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.



A relaxed Chong Wei was never in trouble as he led all the way to seal the first game 21-15.

As is often the case, Hyun-Il began his customary fightback and an over-excited opponent helped his cause.

The Korean crept to a 8-4 lead and Chong Wei was forced to play catch-up but Hyun-Il, showing a variety of strokes, raced on to a 21-11 win to set up a cracking decider. Chong Wei, realising that patience was the only way to subdue his opponent, engaged the Korean in long rallies and it paid off as he went into full flow to win 21-17.

"I never really expected to win after playing with a fever from the first day but it is good to win the Malaysia Open for a fourth time," said Chong Wei.





Hyun-Il said unforced errors in the third game had cost him dearly.

"If I had cut down on those mistakes, I could have won," said Hyun-Il.

From NST
__________________________________________________ _______________

On Finals, now on to KO..............

I was there when they got interviewed...for sure Badzine seldom wanted to interview them...( hope Raphael reads this..hehe!)
I am quite confidence Ralph and his crew will interview them more often this year ;)

from The Star

Badminton: Chong Wei keeps his cool to sink Hyun-il
STORIES By RAJES PAUL

Badminton fans in the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil erupted in joy yesterday when national number one Lee Chong Wei smashed his way to his fourth Malaysian Open title in five years.

The top seeded Chong Wei came through unscathed despite immense pressure to beat South Korean Lee Hyun-il, who is the protege of the Malaysian’s former coach, Li Mao, 21-15, 11-21, 21-17 in a 62-minute final.

And after the victory, Li Mao gave him a hug and a pat on the back.

The 25-year-old Chong Wei have thus broken a jinx for Malaysian badminton at the Putra Stadium.

Malaysia had suffered the humiliation of failing to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2000 Thomas Cup Finals staged at the venue. And last year, Malaysian shuttlers, led by Chong Wei, failed miserably to win at the World Championships.

“I am happy that I have finally brought joy in this stadium for Malaysian fans. I lost here during the world championships and it feels good to get it right today,” said the world No. 2, who lost tamely to Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro in the world meet.

“I did not have a good start ... fever and stomachache in this Malaysian Open. And I am satisfied that I managed to pull through and won the title back,” said Chong Wei, who lost in the quarter-finals last year.

It was certainly not easy for Chong Wei, especially when the 28-year-old Hyun-il turned on the aggression in the second game.

The Korean kept up the pressure in the decider but the Malaysian stayed composed to romp home.

“It was obvious that Li Mao told him my weak points and Hyun-il tried his best to break my rhythm, especially in the second game. But I stayed calm in the rubber. I hope to maintain this approach in every tournament,” said Chong Wei.

There is a possibility of him meeting Hyun-il again in the second round of the Korean Open, which begins on Wednesday.

Chong Wei’s win makes him the second best Malaysian player on home soil. The late Wong Peng Soon holds the record with his eight titles.

A disappointed Hyun-il said: “It is still a good start for me. I am currently ranked 28th in the world and I hope to break into the top 16 to get a place in the Beijing Olympics.”

Li Mao said that Chong Wei handled the pressure well.

“That is very crucial for him. But I am happy with Hyun-il. This is his best performance since I took charge a year ago,” said the Chinese coach.

Also from The star

On WS, the "Chinese Killer"

Rasmussen beats world champ Zhu Lin despite ankle injury


A TWISTED ankle did not stop Tine Rasmussen from winning the Malaysian Open women's singles title in a superb fashion yesterday.

The 28-year-old Dane continued to prove to be the Chinese players' nightmare. She played magnificently to beat reigning world champion Zhu Lin of China for the first time. Rasmussen won the final 18-21, 21-19, 21-18 in 69 minutes.

In the rubber game, it looked as though the game would end prematurely when Rasmussen twisted her ankle when she led the defending champion 14-12.

But thanks to immediate treatment by the team's physiotherapist and her boyfriend, Martin Baun, Rasmussen returned to the court.

“The injury was really bad and I had my ankle taped. But I was not troubled by the pain ... the adrenalin was already high. I told myself that I could not stop at this stage and the rest is unbelievable,” said a delighted Rasmussen.

“When I came to Malaysia, I was not even sure that I would survive the early rounds. Now, I have beaten all the Chinese players and that is a great thing for me.”

The win yesterday proved that her first Open title in Japan last year was no fluke. Then, she defeated several Chinese top guns to emerge as the champion.

“I proved again to everybody and to myself that I can do this (beating Chinese players to win titles). The support from the crowd was uplifting. I felt the whole arena was behind me. This is an incredible place to win my second major title,” said Rasmussen.

She added that the win had given her the psychological boost in her bid to win an Olympic gold medal at Beijing in August.

“I made progress over the last one year, mentally believing that the Chinese players are beatable. I have proved it by beating them. And the Malaysian player (Wong Mew Choo) has also done the same (beating the Chinese to win the China Open last year). Many others can make it happen too,” said Rasmussen.

When how she measured up with former Danish star Camilla Martin, Rasmussen said: “I have two titles but she had won 15 or more. This has nothing to do with Camilla. She is one of a kind. I want to be just Tine and continue to show that the Danish women's singles is still on top.”
National coach Thomas Stuer Lauridsen said: “She is our 'Chinese killer'. But she is one against the many Chinese. China will always be the favourite but now Tine has placed herself as a serious contender for an Olympic medal.”

From The Star

On the Gang of Four.....

Yap wants quitting quartet to return


CHIEF coach Yap Kim Hock has urged the four doubles players who wanted to quit to return to the national fold.

He gave them an assurance that they would still be part of the Badminton Association of Malaysia's plans for the 2012 London Olympics.

On Friday, world number 19th Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock and 35th ranked Gan Teik Chai-Lin Woon Fui handed in their resignation letters to the BAM and said that they wanted out from the elite programme.
Without any outstanding results under their belts and a lack of tournament opportunities, both pairs wanted to seek better fortunes elsewhere.
Kim Hock said that he was still hopeful that the four players would reconsider.

“They are still young and I hope they will stay on much longer. They will not make it for the Beijing Olympics in August but they have chances for the next one (in London),” said Kim Hock.

“I know that the management are trying to increase their salaries too. My only concern is their reasons for leaving the team. I will be really disappointed if they are leaving because of better offers elsewhere. It should not be about money alone but about badminton.”
There are four pairs left in the elite squad under Rexy Mainaky. They are world No. 1 Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif-Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong.

The interview with Kido/Setiawan also appeared in The Star