Kien Keat Koo-l about team’s chances as they seek to defy the odds

THE odds are stacked against Malaysia but doubles shuttler Koo Kien Keat is cool about the team’s chances at the Thomas Cup Finals.

The 26-year-old has always starred in the team event and he vowed yesterday that he will do the same again – without putting undue pressure on himself.

Kien Keat will play first doubles with Tan Boon Heong and they will have to win at least a point in every tie to keep alive Malaysia’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Kien Keat-boon Heong, Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim and Hoon Thien How are the seniors in the team while the others – Lim Khim Wah-goh V Shem, Tan Wee Kiong, Liew Daren and Chong Wei Feng – are playing in the Finals for the first time.

“It’s time to relax and enjoy ... no matter how tough the situation is. There is no pressure to perform but just desire to give a satisfactory performance,” Kien Keat said after having fun during a training session at the Wuhan Sports Gymnasium Centre yesterday.

“We picked up quite late with our preparations for the Finals. But we are happy with the training so far and the team look all psyched up.”

Kien Keat, whois playing in his fifth Finals, face the first real test when Malaysia play denmark in their Group C tie on Tuesday. Kien Keat-boon Heong are likely to face Carsten Mogensen-mathias Boe in the first doubles. Although the Malaysians have a 7-3 record against the Danes, their last two encounters have been disastrous.

The Danes thrashed themalaysians 21-14, 21-6 in the Super Series Masters Finals but Kien Keat-boon Heong went down fighting 21-15, 1821, 18-21 at the All-england.

“We lost badly in our last meeting with them, so we have a score to settle,” said Kien Keat.

Malaysia will play South Africa tomorrow.