Tan- Goh stay on guard despite Olympic champs’ withdrawal

PETALING JAYA: Olympic champions Zhang Nan- Fu Haifeng from China are the latest players to turn their backs on the BWF World Superseries Finals in Dubai from Dec 14- 18.

But instead of jumping for joy over having one less dangerous pair to deal with, Malaysia’s Tan Wee Kiong- Goh V Shem will still tread with caution at the Superseries season finale.

Yesterday, the Badminton World Federation ( BWF) announced that Zhang Nan- Haifeng will join compatriot Chen Long, Indonesians Nitya Krishinda Maheswari- Greysia Polii in the withdrawal list.

Zhang Nan- Haifeng will be replaced by their countrymen Li Junhui- Liu Yuchen.

Chen Long’s place was taken by Hu Yun of Hong Kong while Malaysia’s Woon Khe Wei- Vivian Hoo have been invited to fill the vacant spot left by Nitya- Greysia in the women’s doubles.

Wee Kiong said there was no reason to celebrate the withdrawal of Zhang- Haifeng, who edged the Malaysian duo in the men’s doubles gold medal at the Rio Olympics in August.

“China’s den is full of talents. One pair is out but another one made it. I do not think their absence makes it easier for anyone of us,” said Wee Kiong, who will leave for Dubai today.

“The competition in the men’s doubles is close ... and I believe that the race is open for anyone of us in Dubai,” he said.

Besides V Shem- Wee Kiong and Junhui- Yuchen, the other qualifiers for the Finals are Takeshi Kamura- Keigo Sonoda of Japan; Chai Biao- Hong Wei of China; Indonesia’s Marcus Fernaldi GideonKevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Angga PratamaRicky Karanda Suwardi; and Denmark’s Mathias Boe- Carsten Mogensen and Mads Conrad PetersenMads Pieler Kolding.

National coach Jeremy Gan said that he wanted V Shem- Wee Kiong to reach at least the semi- finals.

“I cannot pick anyone as the clear favourites. It’s anybody’s chance in Dubai. It will be an icing on the cake if our Malaysians can go all the way to win it,” he added.

It has been a fine year so far for V Shem- Wee Kiong. Besides the silver medal in Rio, they also won their first Superseries title in Denmark and will enter the Finals as the world No. 1 pair.