Kien Keat-Boon Heong, whose only success this year was winning the Malaysia Open grand prix gold in June, were finalists in the World Championships in Paris last year which was followed by another runners-up finish in the Guangzhou Asian Games. They also reached the final of the All England in March.
Rexy, before his departure for the training stint at the University of Bath on Wednesday, said Kien Keat-Boon Heong have somehow managed to produce something extra in important events and felt there is plenty of hope at the Wembley Arena although their form hasn't been great.
They were also fortunate that bogey pairs Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng of China -- who denied them the title in Paris, Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan -- who beat them in Guangzhou, and South Korea's Jung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae are in the top half of the draw, thus giving them an easier passage to the final.
"It is quite unusual but Kien Keat-Boon Heong managed to reach the finals of the last three big tournaments. They don't treat these events like the Super Series or grand prix events anymore and that switch in mindset is a good sign and I'm optimistic," said Rexy.
"Kien Keat-Boon Heong have realised how important it is to win a major title and have made the World Championships their priority.
"However, Kien Keat-Boon Heong face a possible quarter-final against Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (of South Korea).
"I have faith that they can break the jinx against this pair and go all the way. The final is another obstacle they must try to overcome but the bigger task will be to reach that stage."
Kien Keat-Boon Heong are expected to meet Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen of Denmark in the last four but the Malaysians have generally done well against them despite losing in the All England final.
Rexy also went to Paris last year without any hope but was bailed out by Kien Keat-Boon Heong and he is looking forward to them not just repeating the feat but achieving something spectacular at the Wembley Arena.
Courtesy of New Straits Times
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