Wan Wah: Team spirit the key to doubles success VETERANS Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah justified their roles as the second pair in the Thomas Cup Finals by winning important matches twice in crucial Malaysian ties. But the 32-year-old Wan Wah (pic) refused to bask in the glow. “The doubles may have won the points but it was team spirit that kept our challenge going until the semi-finals. Both the singles and doubles players played their hearts out,” said Wan Wah. “Our victory is meaningless when the team loses.” Malaysia lost 2-3 to Denmark in the semi-finals tie at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Friday but Wan Wah-Tan Fook were in fine form. They got their revenge over Mathias Boe-Carsten Morgensen after having been beaten by the Danes at last year's Denmark Open. Wan Wah said the failure of the men's singles players to win any points against Denmark should not be seen as a drop in standard of Malaysian badminton. “As a seasoned campaigner in the team, I know how hard both the singles and doubles players worked for this Finals. The singles players lost to better players. But the team was united and I see that as a positive sign for Malaysian badminton,” he said. “Despite this defeat, our spirit is not broken. This team will not bring badminton down. We will rise and strive harder for better results,” he added. Wan Wah-Tan Fook will now compete in only selected Open tournaments as they gear up for the World Championships in Madrid from Sept 18-24. “We are not getting any younger and we cannot overdo things. For now, we need to polish up our tactical game and learn to condition ourselves well before a tournament,” said Wan Wah, whose best achievement in the world meet was a semi-final finish at the 2001 meet in Seville. “We want to be in good conditions for the world meet.”
