Felicia_txh
Regular Member
PETALING JAYA: It is not the thing he wants to hear. But doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky has promised to do everything he can to get top doubles pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong back to form for the World Championships in August.
After having spoken to his charges, Rexy believes that he has made the right decision in withdrawing the pair from the Thailand Open (July 3-8) because another unexpected defeat would affect their confidence further.
The duo's form has taken a dive after winning the All-England and Swiss Open titles in March. They suffered defeats by England's Anthony Clark-Robert Blair and the world number one Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China in the just concluded Sudirman Cup (world mixed team) championships in Glasgow.
“Boon Heong told me that he has lost the feeling in his game. It was not the same as when they played in the Asian Games and All-England. I am worried about his performance because he is not playing well and it is affecting his partner too,” said Rexy.
“Kien Keat's game is still okay but he explained that he may be covering up for his partner and that may look like he tends to be showing off at times.
Stay home: Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong will likely see action at the Philippines Open next month.
“But I am still worried about Boon Heong, who lost his fighting spirit. I have told them that they will not be playing in the Thai Open and they are okay with it. It's better for them to stay home and spend more time to get their game back on track.”
Despite under-performing over the last two months, Rexy believes that the current world number two pair are still good bets to become the first Malaysian winners in the World Championships, which will be held in Bukit Jalil from Aug 13-19.
Rexy said that he was not worried about too much pressure on just one pair because Malaysia have three other strong pairs to count on.
The other pairs in the World Championships are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif and Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.
Rexy has since softened his stance on Kien Keat-Boon Heong and hope they look at the defeats positively.
“I was disappointed with the way they played but I have told them to learn from Fu-Cai. They also suffered a loss of form from the Asian Games right up to the All-England,” he said.
“But they came back strongly to win the last two Super Series tournament (Singapore and Indonesia) and they were unbeaten in the Sudirman Cup. They have regained their confidence.
“Kien Keat-Boon Heong are still young and the pressure may have got to them after they won a few consecutive tournaments.
“But it is clear that they are struggling and we have to help them get back their confidence.”
Rexy added that he might consider sending them to the Philippines Open (July 17-22). The China Open will be held in the week after the Philippines Open and there will be no more competition until after the world championships.
After having spoken to his charges, Rexy believes that he has made the right decision in withdrawing the pair from the Thailand Open (July 3-8) because another unexpected defeat would affect their confidence further.
The duo's form has taken a dive after winning the All-England and Swiss Open titles in March. They suffered defeats by England's Anthony Clark-Robert Blair and the world number one Fu Haifeng-Cai Yun of China in the just concluded Sudirman Cup (world mixed team) championships in Glasgow.
“Boon Heong told me that he has lost the feeling in his game. It was not the same as when they played in the Asian Games and All-England. I am worried about his performance because he is not playing well and it is affecting his partner too,” said Rexy.
“Kien Keat's game is still okay but he explained that he may be covering up for his partner and that may look like he tends to be showing off at times.
“But I am still worried about Boon Heong, who lost his fighting spirit. I have told them that they will not be playing in the Thai Open and they are okay with it. It's better for them to stay home and spend more time to get their game back on track.”
Despite under-performing over the last two months, Rexy believes that the current world number two pair are still good bets to become the first Malaysian winners in the World Championships, which will be held in Bukit Jalil from Aug 13-19.
Rexy said that he was not worried about too much pressure on just one pair because Malaysia have three other strong pairs to count on.
The other pairs in the World Championships are Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Latif and Tan Bin Shen-Ong Soon Hock.
Rexy has since softened his stance on Kien Keat-Boon Heong and hope they look at the defeats positively.
“I was disappointed with the way they played but I have told them to learn from Fu-Cai. They also suffered a loss of form from the Asian Games right up to the All-England,” he said.
“But they came back strongly to win the last two Super Series tournament (Singapore and Indonesia) and they were unbeaten in the Sudirman Cup. They have regained their confidence.
“Kien Keat-Boon Heong are still young and the pressure may have got to them after they won a few consecutive tournaments.
“But it is clear that they are struggling and we have to help them get back their confidence.”
Rexy added that he might consider sending them to the Philippines Open (July 17-22). The China Open will be held in the week after the Philippines Open and there will be no more competition until after the world championships.
