Kien Keat and Boon Heong must deliver in Sudirman Cup

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s hopes of making the semi-finals for the first time in the Sudirman Cup will hinge on the performance of the men’s doubles players.

And Koo Kien Keat is determined to live up to expectations with his partner Tan Boon Heong in the world mixed team event, which will be held in Guangzhou from May 10-17.

Based on the draw released by the World Badminton Federation (BWF) yesterday, fourth seeded Malaysia are in Group A of Division One with top seeds Denmark, South Korea and Hong Kong.

In Group B are Indonesia, defending champions China, England and Japan.

The top two teams will play in the crossover semi-finals.

Malaysia’s team will comprise Lee Chong Wei, Kien Keat-Boon Heong, Wong Mew Choo, Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty and Ng Hui Lin. Three others will be named later.

Denmark and South Korea, who boasts of strong doubles combinations, could dash Malaysia’s hopes of making the top four.

Denmark could field either Lars Paaske-Jonas Rasmussen or Mathias Boe-Cartsen Morgensen while South Korea can depend on Lee Yong-dae-Shin Baek-cheol or Hwang Ji-man-Han Sang-hook.

Kien Keat, who is playing in his first tournament after winning the Swiss Open in March, hoped that the men’s doubles pair would be able to win points in every tie.

“We have a tougher draw. It will be a three-pronged challenge in the Group A. Denmark and South Korea have stronger women players,” said Kien Keat.

“The men’s doubles players will have to deliver a sure point to keep the team’s hopes alive,” said Kien Keat.

On paper, world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei should win his matches against Peter-Gade Christensen and Park Sung-hwan of Denmark and South Korea respectively.

Chong Wei, however, has to be wary of Christensen, who has a knack of beating the Malaysian when least expected.

It will be difficult for Malaysia to win the women’s doubles as both Denmark and South Korea have reliable pairs in their ranks. It will be just as tough in the mixed doubles too.

“If we lose, it will put a great pressure on the team. We have to try and win a point,” added Kien Keat.

“South Korea have been fielding many new men’s pairs of late while Denmark will be banking on their regulars.”

On paper, Malaysia’s women’s players are not expected to get the better of their group opponents, although Mew Choo and Eei Hui-Pei Tty have done well in the past.

DIVISION ONE
Group A:
Denmark,
Malaysia,
South Korea,
Hong Kong

Group B:
Indonesia,
China,
England,
Japan

(Source: thestar.com.my)