Pang won’t sing Koo-tan’s praises yet

PETALING JAYA: The commendable performances of Koo Kien Keat-tan Boon Heong have brought back the smiles but national coach Pang Cheh Chang is not singing their praises just yet.

Cheh Chang wants more consistent displays from the duo before giving them due credit.

The World No. 6 Kien Keat-boon Heong stunned their doubters with a sensational win over their bogeymen Ko Sung-hyun-yoo Yeon-seong in a Group D tie against South Korea on Tuesday.

The victory proved crucial as Malaysia went on to edge the Koreans 3-2. Malaysia then beat India in the quarter-finals to book a Finals spot in Wuhan.

Although Cheh Chang is pleased with Kien Keat-boon Heong’s best performance since their tame quarter-final defeat by Koreans Sunghyun-yeon-seong at the World Championships in London in August, he is keeping his praises on hold.

“They did well to upset the Koreans but it’s too early to say they are back to their best again,” said Cheh Chang in a telephone interview.

“Their problem has always been their lack of consistency, so I hope they will continue winning as this will stand them in good stead for the Olympics.

“It’s good to see they are committed to improving themselves but praising them too much at this stage will be of no benefit. It may get to their heads.”

Kien Keat-boon Heong will now return home to prepare for the AllEngland in Birmingham from March 6-11.

“Koo and Tan are ranked sixth in the world and the coaches are not too worried about that.

“It will not make much difference for them at the Olympics. They should concentrate on regaining their winning ways. Hopefully, withmorefocus in training, they can raise their game at the All-england.”

In Birmingham, Kien Keat-boon Heong have the who’s who of men’s doubles to contend with– Sung-hyunYeon-seong and their compatriots Lee Yong-dae-jung Jae-sung, top seeds Cai Yun-fu Haifeng of China, Mathias Boe-carsten Mogensen of Denmark and Markis Kido-hendra Setiawan of Indonesia. As Cai Yun-haifeng and

Praising Koo and Tan at this stage will be of no benefit. It may get to their heads

— PANG CHEH CHANG

Jae-sung did not compete in the Thomas Cup qualifiers, they will have more time and energy to prepare for the All-england.

Besides Kien Keat-boon Heong, another Malaysian pair Lim Khim Wah-goh V Shem will see action in Birmingham but they will have to qualify for the main draw.