Joo-bong: Jae-sung-Yong-dae can pose a danger to other pairs
By RAJES PAUL
star online
KUALA LUMPUR: Korean doubles player Lee Yong-dae had to take a three-month break after breaking a finger in a cross-country mishap.
But his confidence remained intact when he returned to action in the Thailand Open last month, partnering Jung Jae-sung for a runners-up finish.
And South Korea's former doubles ace Park Joo-bong has picked the pair as the darkhorses to win the World Championships title. His favourites are China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
“I am not placing them as the favourites because of Yong-dae's condition. He fell during a cross-country run and broke a finger on his playing hand (right). He is back in action but we do not know how well he can cope in the world tournament, which is a much more challenging event,” he said.
“If they are in good form, they will pose a danger to the others.”
Joo-bong, who has five world championships titles under his belt (two men's doubles and three mixed doubles), is now the chief coach of the Japanese national team and he arrived here with the players on Tuesday night.
He felt that the Indonesian-American combination of Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan were not as powerful as Cai Yun-Haifeng or Kien Keat-Boong Heong.
“The game has evolved into a power game. Candra-Tony are skilful and aggressive but they are older and cannot sustain the pace and power. The Chinese and the Malaysians are the pairs to beat,” he said.
On Japan's challenge, Joo-bong said: “Top women's singles player Eriko (Hirose) is out because of injury. She was our best bet. Now our hope is to see at least two quarter-finalists in any of the event.” Yesterday saw the arrival of the players from Denmark and England. The formidable Chinese contingent will arrive today followed by the Koreans (tomorrow) and Indonesians (Saturday).
By RAJES PAUL
star online
KUALA LUMPUR: Korean doubles player Lee Yong-dae had to take a three-month break after breaking a finger in a cross-country mishap.
But his confidence remained intact when he returned to action in the Thailand Open last month, partnering Jung Jae-sung for a runners-up finish.
And South Korea's former doubles ace Park Joo-bong has picked the pair as the darkhorses to win the World Championships title. His favourites are China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng and Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong.
“I am not placing them as the favourites because of Yong-dae's condition. He fell during a cross-country run and broke a finger on his playing hand (right). He is back in action but we do not know how well he can cope in the world tournament, which is a much more challenging event,” he said.
“If they are in good form, they will pose a danger to the others.”
Joo-bong, who has five world championships titles under his belt (two men's doubles and three mixed doubles), is now the chief coach of the Japanese national team and he arrived here with the players on Tuesday night.
He felt that the Indonesian-American combination of Candra Wijaya-Tony Gunawan were not as powerful as Cai Yun-Haifeng or Kien Keat-Boong Heong.
“The game has evolved into a power game. Candra-Tony are skilful and aggressive but they are older and cannot sustain the pace and power. The Chinese and the Malaysians are the pairs to beat,” he said.
On Japan's challenge, Joo-bong said: “Top women's singles player Eriko (Hirose) is out because of injury. She was our best bet. Now our hope is to see at least two quarter-finalists in any of the event.” Yesterday saw the arrival of the players from Denmark and England. The formidable Chinese contingent will arrive today followed by the Koreans (tomorrow) and Indonesians (Saturday).
I hope he's young enough..