THOMAS/ UBER CUP 2012 Reports by RAJES PAUL Photos by GLENN GUAN
Wuhan, May 20 - 27
A stroll for Malaysia in opener
Doubles pairs must deliver
Boe-mogensen out to inflict more pain on Koo-tan
Moment of truth for debutant Liew Daren
THE doubles matches will be the deciding factors when Malaysia take on denmarkin a group c tie at wuhan Sports Gymnasium Centre today.
With their most experienced shuttler Mohd Hafiz Hashim not being in the best of condition, Malaysia will have to depend on world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei and two doubles pairs to secure a win.
Yesterday, Malaysia defeated South Africa 5-0 in their opening Group C match but Hafiz was not in the best of health although he clinched the winning point for the team.
He is still carrying a foot injury and officials are praying it will not get worse.
On paper, Chong Wei should win the opening match against PeterGade Christensen but it will be a tall order for Liew Daren to beat his stronger opponent Jan O Jorgensen in the second singles.
This will bring the focus on Koo Kien Keat-tan Boon Heong and Lim Khim Wah-goh V Shem to save the tie for Malaysia against their higher ranked opponents carsten mogensenmathias Boe and Mads-conrad Petersen-jonas Rasmussen respectively in the doubles matches.
Yesterday, national doubles coach Tan Kim Her said he would motivate his boys to win and increase malaysia’s chances of going into the elimination round as a seeded team to avoid an early encounter with China or South Korea.
He has an option of fielding his two top pairs Kien Keat-boon Heong and Khim Wah-v Shem in the line-up or take a gamble by scratching the partnership.
“The doubles department have no choice but to win both points to ensure a smoother path in the next stage,” said Kim Her.
“I must look at all angles. If I tweak with the line-up, will I end up having one strong and one weak pair? The team will discuss this.
“The players must be comfortable if I make changes or else, it will be futile. Whatever we do, we will go all out for two points in the doubles, that is my assurance.”
Skipper Chong Wei, who enjoyed good support from the Chinese crowd yesterday, has urged the team to not lose heart although they would be the underdogs against the Danish team.
“Today, all the Malaysian players had a good work out on court and we have a better understanding of the environment in the hall (after the win over South Africa). We are not the strongest team but others still consider us a threat.
“We should play with confidence,” said Chong Wei.
“I know how important it is to win the first point and I will go all out to inspire my team-mates with a win over my old foe Peter,” he said.
“Daren has nothing to lose and I am confident that he will give Jan a run for his money. I also have faith in Hafiz as I think he is a stronger opponent in the third singles. If it goes down to a deciding last tie, we should prevail,” he added.
For the record, all Malaysia and Denmark’s ties over the last five editions have gone down the wire, with Malaysia winning only two of the agonisingly close battles.