VIVIAN-MEI KUAN IN FOR A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP?
PETALING JAYA: Commonwealth Games gold medallists Vivian Hoo-Chow Mei Kuan are set for an extended run in the national team.
The pair combined well in only their second tournament together as they delivered Malaysia’s seventh gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games earlier this month.
Their emergence is certainly a blessing as Vivian’s regular partner Woon Khe Wei is still sidelined by injury and almost certain to miss the Uber Cup Finals in Bangkok from May 20-27.
But women’s doubles head coach Rosman Razak is looking beyond the Bangkok Finals as he has long term plans for the pair.
“Khe Wei is still injured and she is quite unlikely to make the team for Bangkok,” said Rosman.
“On the other hand, Mei Kuan’s partner (Lee) Meng Yean has recovered from her injury and should be ready for the Uber Cup.
“Vivian-Mei Kuan’s performances during the Commonwealth Games have, however, given us some food for thought.
“I would like to keep them as a pair but we’ll also need to test them at higher level tournaments and see how they fare.”
Rosman is keeping his cards lose to his chest for the biennial team meet in which Malaysia are drawn in Group D with China, Indonesia and France.
“It is a slight headache trying to choose the players for the Uber Cup because a lot of youngsters have shown improvement,” said Rosman.
“They have shown during the Malaysian International Challenge that they can be relied on, but we still have a lot to work on.
“It will be hard to finalise the six players and my choice will be based on our tactical approach. Right now our main target is to beat Indonesia in the group stages,” added Rosman.
Besides Vivian-Mei Kuan, Rosman is also expected to name Meng Yean and International Challenge winners Soong Fie Cho-Tee Jing Yi for the Finals.
The last spot should be a toss-up between Goh Yea Ching, Yap Cheng Wen or Lim Chiew Sien.