The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Shuttlers have the numbers for Shenzhen challenge
- Macau Open: Tago gets top billing in Lee’s absence
- Malaysia just need a draw against Canada to top Group A
| Shuttlers have the numbers for Shenzhen challenge Posted: 26 Nov 2012 03:40 PM PST PETALING JAYA: With the conclusion of the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, Malaysia are set to send their biggest number of representatives for the BWF World Super Series Finals in Shenzhen, China, from Dec 12-16. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei had already qualified for the tournament prior to the Hong Kong meet along with men's doubles duo Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying. The onus was on Liew Daren and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong to seal their places in the men's singles and doubles respectively. Daren, whose form has dropped somewhat since winning the French Open last month, only had to reach the second round to guarantee his ticket to Shenzhen. This was partially due to the fact that those still in the running – Sho Sasaki (Japan), Hans-Kristian Vittinghus (Denmark) and India's Ajay Jayaram – all fared poorly in Hong Kong. The 25-year-old Daren is fifth in the latest Super Series standings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and will make his first appearance in the season-ending Finals alongside Chong Wei. Each country is allowed to send two representatives if they are in the top eight. Thien How-Wee Kiong, who have been impressive of late, did just enough to consolidate their eighth placing in the standings. Although the world No. 16 failed to progress to the Hong Kong semi-finals – faltering at the crucial moment against China's Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan, reaching the last eight meant that China's Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng will miss out despite winning the tournament. But while Thien How-Wee Kiong delivered when it mattered most, the same cannot be said of top men's pair Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who have now lost in three final appearances since the London Olympics. The pair, currently No. 2 in the world, are yet to live up to their high ranking as they only played well in patches in Sunday's 16-21, 17-21 loss to Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng. Still, national doubles coach Tan Kim Her believes they have been performing well and are only one performance shy of breaking their Super Series drought, which has lasted almost three years. "The Chinese pair stuck to their tactics well and made Boon Heong tired with long rallies," said Kim Her. "I told them to defend first before attacking but the Chinese pair were relentless and, by the time Kien Keat-Boon Heong tried to mount a comeback, it was too late. "Still, it was a much improved performance and they will surely regain their winning form soon." The good news for Kien Keat-Boon Heong is that with Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng out of the equation in Shenzhen, they have one less rival to worry about. |
| Macau Open: Tago gets top billing in Lee’s absence Posted: 26 Nov 2012 07:18 PM PST PETALING JAYA: The absence of world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will definitely take the shine off the Macau Open, which starts today, with Japan's Kenichi Tago (pic) the only notable name in the men's singles. The 30-year-old Chong Wei suffered a demoralising defeat to China's Chen Long in the Hong Kong Open on Sunday as the lack of preparation, due to his busy wedding schedule, took its toll. Chong Wei, who faced his first real test since the Denmark Open last month, was unable to lift his game and lost 19-21, 17-21. National singles coach Rashid Sidek said Chong Wei had pulled out of the Macau tournament to focus on the BWF World Super Series Finals in Shenzhen, China, from Dec 12-16. That means world No. 7 Tago is now the favourite against a field of relative lightweights like Indonesia's Taufik Hidayat, Tommy Sugiarto, Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka and the Hong Kong duo of Hu Yun and Wong Wing Ki. The Malaysian challenge will be led by Chan Kwong Beng, Goh Soon Huat, Loh Wei Sheng, Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub, and former world junior champion Zulfadli Zulkifli. None of them are expected to progress far in the tournament. The newly-formed pairs of Chan Peng Soon-Lim Khim Wah, Ong Jian Guo-Goh V Shem and Mohd Lufti Zaim-Teo Kok Siang will be out to make an impression in the men's doubles. Peng Soon-Khim Wah are drawn to meet third seeds Yonathan Suryatama Dasuki-Hendra Gunawan of Indonesia while Jian Guo-V Shem will be up against Indonesian second seeds Ricky Karanda Suwardi-Muhammad Ullinuha in the first round. Lufti-Kok Siang start their campaign from the qualifiers. Top national pair of Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, who have struggled this year, will have a chance to prove their worth in the women's doubles. The world No. 22 pair face India's Aparna Balan-N. Siki Reddy in the first round and should progress to the quarter-finals against top seeds and world No. 7 Jang Ye-na-Eom Hye-won – a pair they have beaten twice in three meetings. |
| Malaysia just need a draw against Canada to top Group A Posted: 26 Nov 2012 07:16 PM PST KUALA LUMPUR: National coach Paul Revington could not have asked for better results in the Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Quilmes, Argentina. Malaysia, ranked 13th in the world, outplayed Poland 4-0 in the opening Group A match last Saturday and then stunned world No. 7 South Korea 4-2 on Sunday. Malaysia just need a draw against Canada today to finish top of the group and play the fourth placed team of Group B in the quarter-finals on Thursday. Defender Mohd Razie Abdul Rahim has not only marshalled the defence well but has also scored three penalty corner goals in two matches. The 39-year-old Revington said it is always nice to score eight goals in the first two games. "I'm not too sure who scored all the goals because I focus more on how the team contributed together to the goals. This is so important," said Revington. The national team have definitely shown vast improvement in the one month they have trained under the South African. Revington said there were several pleasing aspects in the first two matches. "However, there are definitely areas they must improve in. The boys are doing everything possible to make these improvements quickly," he said. Revington has, however, warned the players not to be over confident against Canada, who have only one point from two matches. Canada lost 2-0 to Korea and drew 3-3 against Poland. Malaysia lost 3-1 to Canada in the last tournament in South Africa. Revington, who is assisted by former international S. Arul Selvaraj, was also happy with the penalty corner conversion rate of the team. "Malaysia have always been strong in the penalty corners and the players are flicking with confidence at the moment. "We have some fantastic penalty corner flickers, injectors and trappers," said Revington. Defender Baljit Singh, who suffered an ankle injury in the Poland match and was rested against Korea, could play against Canada. Hosts Argentina, with wins against Ireland (4-3) and South Africa (2-1), also only need a draw against Japan today to top Group B. |
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