THE Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will decide on the squad for the Thomas-Uber Cup Finals on Friday – the final day for countries to submit their entries to the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The BAM have an option of naming an experienced hand or a youngster in the fourth singles slot for the Thomas Cup.
The top three men's singles players already assured of their places are Lee Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann and Mohd Hafiz Hashim. The three men pairs are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
There are unlikely to be any surprises in the Uber Cup team.
BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh, however, does not want to commit until the coaching and training committee meet.
“I will get the feedback from all the coaches. We will deliberate on the fourth singles and come out with the best decision,” said Nadzmi.
Nadzmi, however, was happy with several players despite Malaysia’s poor outing in the ABC which ended yesterday.
“Players like Koo-Tan and Hafiz showed improvement in their games. They did not go all the way to win but that could be a blessing in disguise,” said Nadzmi.
“We hope their defeats despite a good comeback will motivate them to perform even better in the Thomas Cup Finals.
“Hafiz, Koo and Tan are talented. Their opponents are skilful too but they have the drive and determination to win. This is what our players must strive for – to have that little extra to win honours,” he said, adding that Malaysia would be going all out to reach the final in Jakarta.



who do u think is BAM gonna chose for the 4th slots for mens single?
i hope that the BAM will make a right and smart choice;):)

I think they'll choose you la. Most likely the junior.

errr, George, you posted in wrong thread, should be in the TC & Uber thread, not OG. You cant wait for OG time to come, is it?

yeah, i juz realise that i posted on the wrong section..
sorry, can admin pls remove this thread to TC/UC section?
hehe eagle, its true that i cant wait for the olyimpics:)
haha

looks like arif is the favourite for this spot.

looks like arif is the favourite for this spot.

Does it matter? :rolleyes:

Does it matter? :rolleyes:
actually it doesnt matter because the 4th singles is juz like a reserve player in the thomas cup

actually it doesnt matter because the 4th singles is juz like a reserve player in the thomas cup

Not really, look at what happend in 2006, after WCH injured, KBH cannot take the pressure and lost, if send Tsuen Seng or Roslin as 4th single in 2006, maybe MAS will beat Denmark and enter final.

Not really, look at what happend in 2006, after WCH injured, KBH cannot take the pressure and lost, if send Tsuen Seng or Roslin as 4th single in 2006, maybe MAS will beat Denmark and enter final.


Yes, I am still slightly sore about that. Tsuen Seng and Roslin's chances of beating Joachim were significantly higher than beng hong's.

Why Tan Chun Seang isnt considered highly as the 4th singles player? I think he will deliver the goods if needed... He is a good player... He has no fear of nervousness... and he's older and more experienced than Arif, and has beaten him...

why isn't Tsuen Seng the outright 4th singles!

why not 5 singles and 5 double, I think 1 backup double is good enough.

why isn't Tsuen Seng the outright 4th singles!

Why Tan Chun Seang isnt considered highly as the 4th singles player? I think he will deliver the goods if needed... He is a good player... He has no fear of nervousness... and he's older and more experienced than Arif, and has beaten him...

Cos there's Lee Tsuen Seng, the more senior player to consider. TCS is still good, made some breakthrus this year.

Tsuen Seng should be the 4th Singles! Malaysia - learn from your mistakes!

yeah, i also hope that LTS will be the 4th singles with MAS!
wake up BAM!!
i hope that they will make a right and wise choice!!;
i scare that arif cannot cope up the pressure..!

ya kan, Lee Tsuen Seng is also capable... Experienced....

either LTS or TCS...

why not 5 singles and 5 double, I think 1 backup double is good enough.

hmm...i agree this...malaysia line up can be easily guessed...no surprise and no depth...that why malaysia cant win it lately...

...ccm for md is good enough...he can patner kkk...

lts is the best choice i think...and let arif or tcs be the fifth...

why not 5 singles and 5 double, I think 1 backup double is good enough.
MS 4 or MS 5 is not important for MAS.
If not because of WCH injured in last TC Finals, KBH wil not get to fielded in any single matches...:cool:

MS 4 or MS 5 is not important for MAS.
If not because of WCH injured in last TC Finals, KBH wil not get to fielded in any single matches...:cool:

Well, it depend, remember 2002 TC, MAS has 5 singles, WCH, OYH, Hazif, Roslin and LTS, and they beat china with surprise single line up, and LTS beat Taufik in another surprise single lineup.

Arif is MAS' Thomas Cup MS number 4.

IMO,the place should have been taken by TCS, since his ranking is much higher and played better than Arif this year. And even if they didn't choose TCS, they should have chosen CWF, who beated CJ recently.

Quite surprise with Arif inclusion for 4th MS slot
I guess it was the plan for the future.
Arif was more on "thinking" player, he can change his style during midgame to adopt for opponents' tactics while TCS's gameplan is purely on offensive but lack on mental toughness and stamina.

Well, unless we're so unlucky to have another MS injury, dun think they will use Arif. He is one for the future , just like TBH was in the previous TC.
It does not matter who we put as 4th singles as none of the back up squad are consistently performing well in Int'l tourneys.

Well... I did read in the malay press that BAM are thinking of bringing both Arif & TCS, one will be official list, the other as sparring partner for the youngsters to get a feel of TC.
2010 TC, WCH would have retired so both would have to step up to the plate then.


Yeah, Rexy featured TBH for 2006 TC, he played one match against US.
The tough matches CCM partnered KKK.

arif is chosen..for the 4th slot..

arif is chosen..for the 4th slot..
as expected...............

as expected...............
I believe that this is a good exposure for Arif. Although he is young, he has shown matured game. He is a player whom had a high spirit and willing to improve himself.Although he is young,he is a determine player who wants to improve himself. Let's give this opportunity to him to learn and experience it. This is to prepare a smooth transition after WCH retired.

And... here's the official announcement

The Star Online (http://www.thestar.com.my/default.asp) > Sports
Saturday April 26, 2008

Badminton: BAM take a gamble
By RAJES PAUL
KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have taken a big gamble in naming a youngster as the reserve for the Thomas Cup Finals, which will be held in Jakarta from May 11-18 in Jakarta.
Yesterday, BAM president Datuk Nadzmi Mohd Salleh (pic) said the move to select 19-year-old Mohd Arif Abdul Latif as the fourth singles “was for the betterment of the future of Malaysian badminton”.
“He is a very promising player. He has the approval of all the coaches because of his consistency and ability to withstand pressure,” said Nadzmi after chairing a two-hour coaching and training committee meeting yesterday.
“We compared him with several other candidates and he stood out.”
The others vying with Arif were two other Project 2010-2012 players, Tan Chun Seang and Chong Wei Feng, and four seasoned campaigners – Yeoh Kay Bin, Mohd Roslin Hashim of Nusa Mahsuri and the KLRC Bhd’s Lee Tsuen Seng and Sairul Amar Ayob.
Nadzmi is aware that Arif, being inexperienced, could buckle under pressure.
It was evident at the last Finals in Japan when Kuan Beng Hong had to step up following Wong Choong Hann’s withdrawal due to an Achilles tendon rupture. A nervous Beng Hong faltered and Malaysia crashed out 2-3 to Denmark in the semi-finals.
“Yes, there will always be a risk. But we will not know what Arif is capable of unless we give him a chance,” said Nadzmi.
On Malaysia’s chances in the Thomas Cup Finals, Nadzmi said: “It is as important to us as the Olympic Games. It is a prestigious world team event and I want our players to do well. The coaches have set a semi-final target. But I hope they will go all the way and win it.”
Malaysia last won the Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 1992. Five countries – China, Indonesia, Denmark and South Korea – stand in Malaysia’s way to end the 16-year wait.
For the Uber Cup Finals, the only surprise was the omission of Anita Raj Kaur, who has under-performed of late.
Youngster Tee Jing Yee, who will join Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong and Lydia Cheah for the Jakarta trip, has replaced Anita.
In the doubles, the BAM have stuck to the three established pairs – Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, Lim Pek Siah-Ng Hui Lin, Goh Liu Ying-Woon Khe Wei.
If they can get a good draw, Malaysia have a good chance of making it to the semi-finals for the very first time after crashing out in the quarter-finals at the 2004 Finals in Jakarta.

THE SQUADS
THOMAS CUP
Singles: Lee Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.
Doubles: Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.

UBER CUP
Singles: Wong Mew Choo, Julia Wong, Lydia Cheah, Tee Jing Yee.
Doubles: Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty, Lim Pek Siah-Ng Hui Lin, Goh Liu Ying-Woon Khe Wei.

http://www.thestar.com.my/services/printerfriendly.asp?file=/2008/4/26/sports/21075346.asp&sec=sports

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The Star Online (http://www.thestar.com.my/default.asp) > Sports
Saturday April 26, 2008

First the Sideks, Hashims and now it’s the Latifs

KUALA LUMPUR: It used to be the Sidek and Hashim brothers. Now, it’s the turn of the Abdul Latif brothers — Mohd Arif and Mohd Zakry.

Yesterday, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) took a big chance by naming Arif as the fourth men’s singles player in the Thomas Cup squad.

The debutant will join the country’s top three players – Lee Chong Wei, Wong Choong Hann and Mohd Hafiz Hashim – for the Finals, which will be held in Jakarta from May 11-18.

The inclusion of Arif’s elder brother, Zakry, is not a surprise though it will still be his first Thomas Cup Finals appearance with Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari in the men’s doubles.

They will join the country’s top two pairs – Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah and Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.

A surprised Arif said he was happy that he and his brother would be playing in their first major tournament for the country.

“This is a real big surprise for me. I know my name was mentioned but I really did not think that I would be selected. There were other experienced players. I just brushed it off as a joke. Now, all of a sudden, I will feature for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup Finals. This is unbelievable,” said Arif, 19.

“I am so grateful to all my coaches. This is really a moment of reckoning for me.”
Arif, who graduated from the Bukit Jalil Sports School to the Project 2010-2012 squad this year, made heads turn with his first big upset against Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit in the last week’s Asian Badminton Championships (ABC).
But more than the win, it was the way that the skilful Arif took on his opponent – without fear – that won the selectors’ admiration.

“I may be the reserve but I will not cave in if I am thrown into the fray. One thing about me is that I am not easily rattled when up against higher ranked players. In fact, I feel more motivated,” he added.

After the disappointment of being sidelined from the Finals two years ago, Zakry is thrilled to finally get the chance to feature in the Finals.

“I did not want to believe it until this official announcement. And what makes it even more memorable is that I will be playing alongside my brother in a major tournament for the first time. This is a great honour for the Abdul Latif brothers,” said Zakry.

“This is a big challenge for Arif and I am confident he will give his best.”

I'm happy that Arif is chosen over the rest. He has showed much maturity. Watching him played against the BIG guns is very exciting. It is a challenge for him.

Will TCS joining the TC team to Jakarta,as a sparring partner?Despite not selected,he needs such big stage exposure.Hopefully MJs like Wei Feng and others will get the chance to Jakarta as well.