V Shem-Wee Kiong need to regain confidence

THE end could be near for World No 4 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong.

The Malaysians suffered an embarrassing first round defeat to Japan’s Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko in the Australian Open yesterday.

A disappointed BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria said the Rio Olympic Games silver medallists must do something to turn things around.

V Shem-Wee Kiong, who have yet to clear the quarter-final stage in all meets this year, were also sent packing in the opening round of the Malaysia Open in April.

“V Shem-Wee Kiong must go back to the drawing board. They need to regain the confidence they once had to bounce back stronger,” said Norza yesterday.

“I am very disappointed to learn about their first round exit at the Australian Open. Head coach Cheah Soon Kit needs look into solutions to help the pair.

“I also believe that Soon Kit and his assistants Jeremy Gan and Rosman Razak will produce more good pairs in the future. We need to give them time.”

Following their Olympic Games debut, V Shem-Wee Kiong went on to win the Denmark Open and the World Super Series Finals last year.

However, their sudden drop in form this season has raised concerns ahead of their participation in the World Championships in Glasgow in August.

Norza praised mixed doubles duo Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing for their huge upset over reigning Olympic champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir of Indonesia yesterday.

“Our mixed doubles department has been doing really well, hopefully they will continue to deliver at the highest level,” Norza added.