NST 07 Oct 2006 THERE will be no European circuit tournaments for the Asian Games-bound shuttlers next month as they will be focusing on their goal to achieve the one-gold target in Doha. The Japan Open, which begins on Wednesday, and the China Open on Oct 17-22 are the final tune-up tournaments for the men, while Wong Mew Choo and women’s doubles pair Wong Pei Tty-Chin Eei Hui will be competing in the World Cup, an invitational event, in Yi Yang, China on Oct 24-28. They will skip the Denmark Open (Nov 1-5) and the Dutch Open (Nov 8-12). The decision to skip the two European tournaments could have been made following Malaysia’s failure in the World Championships in Madrid last month. National chief coach Yap Kim Hock said: "The most important thing now is to be fully prepared for the Asian Games and aim to achieve our one-gold target. So the World Cup will be our last warm-up tournament," said Kim Hock. "The only reason we are considering Mew Choo and Pei Tty-Eei Hui for the World Cup is so that they get a chance to play the top Chinese players. "As for the men, the Asian Games are too close and what matters is for them to remain focused and regain their confidence. I don’t think competing in too many tournaments will help at this stage." The men’s players for the Doha Games are Chong Wei, Hafiz Hashim, Roslin Hashim, Kuan Beng Hong and doubles pairs Chan Chong Ming-Koo Kien Keat and Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah. The women’s squad comprise Mew Choo, Julia Wong, Norsyahliza Baharum, Pei Tty-Eei Hui, Joanne Quay-Lim Pek Siah and doubles reserve Ooi Sock Ai. Chong Wei and Roslin will only compete in Japan while Hafiz and Beng Hong are down to play in the Japan and China Opens. Kiean Keat will play in the Japan Open with Tan Boon Heong and will partner Chong Ming in China. Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, who were a major letdown in the World Championships, will compete in the China Open. The world rankings of the players are unlikely to be affected much as the Nov 9 ranking, which includes the ranking points from the Denmark Open, will determine the Asian Games seedings.
nah.. not sucky.. just tat msia really need to do well in asian games this time or else..remember?? heads will roll.. hahaha