Msia Open News from Press/Other Media

[eaglehelang]

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.

 

[eaglehelang]

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.

 

[eaglehelang]

The above is from Berita Harian

 

[Oldhand]

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

Um, do we have volunteers to translate these?

 

[eaglehelang]

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

Um, do we have volunteers to translate these?

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. Save my energy .

 

[eaglehelang]

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.

 

[eaglehelang]

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.

 

[eaglehelang]

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.

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.

 

[Jessica]

From NST online

Monday January 14,2008

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

By : Ajitpal Singh
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.

 

[badMania]

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.

 

[taufik-ist]

lindan is afraid to lose ?

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)

 

[Oldhand]

taufik-ist, will you be translating this?

 

[ronnie14]

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

 

[jasonmarc]

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

 

[eaglehelang]

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.”

 

[eaglehelang]

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.

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[eaglehelang]

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

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Interview with Wong Tat Meng on WMC

 

[kwun]

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

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

 

[eaglehelang]

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."

 

[eaglehelang]

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.