Soon Kit sees what’s lacking in the doubles after q-final exit

PETALING JAYA: Consistency and determination.

These are needed to make Malaysia’s men doubles shuttlers a force to be reckoned with again, said head coach Cheah Soon Kit (pic).

He was quick to point that out after Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Goh V ShemTan Wee Kiong crashed 20-22, 11-21 to veterans Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in the All-England quarter-finals at Arena Birmingham on Friday.

On Thursday, Malaysia’s second-ranked pair Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin put up a creditable show before losing to top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia in the second round.

“Our players are playing good but they’ve to be more consistent with their skill work at the top level. They were lacking in this area at the All-England,” said Soon Kit.

“I also wish players will show more determination.”

While the Malaysian doubles are trying to be more consistent, pairs from Indonesia, Denmark, Japan and Taiwan continue to produce good results on a regular basis.

Soon Kit said several countries had reliable doubles pairs for the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok, Thailand, from May 20-27.

“I’ve watched the teams play here and so far, Indonesia, Denmark, China and Taiwan have two steady pairs,” said Soon Kit.

V Shem said they lost to a better pair. “The Danish pair played a good attacking game and our defence was a letdown. We made many mistakes in the second game,” he said.

V Shem-Wee Kiong will now shift their focus to defending their doubles gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games from April 4-15.