All eyes on Boon Heong-Thien How

MALAYSIA'S destiny in the Thomas Cup qualifying rounds is not in the hands of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong but the latter's possible reunion with former partner Hoon Thien How in Macau.

Former world junior champions Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How (inset) could be the ones who compensate for Malaysia’s lack of a leading first pair for the Thomas Cup campaign.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong are supposed to be Malaysia's first doubles but no coach will take a gamble on playing them against strong teams like South Korea or Indonesia.
Although national doubles head coach Tan Kim Her has tried his best not to reveal some of the scratch pairs he will use due to the poor form of his top pair, it is an open secret Boon Heong-Thien How, the 2004 world junior champions, are the favoured combination and the one that can steal a point from even the strongest of opposition.

Boon Heong-Thien How only partner each other in training these days but whenever they compete on the local circuit, they have gone on to become champions.

Boon Heong is always at ease partnering Thien How, who is capable of playing the role of a setter and is also effective as an attacker, and they could be the ones who  compensate for Malaysia's lack of a leading first pair for the Thomas Cup campaign.

"Thien How is quite versatile and has partnered Boon Heong before and he can also play with other players. He is also quite hardworking and despite his size, can attack from the baseline," said Kim Her.

"He has almost completely recovered from his knee injury and he gives us  several options. I am not going to reveal which combinations I will use as it will depend on our opponents and based on our match strategy."

Thien How is also looking forward to partnering Boon Heong  and contributing a point for Malaysia.

"My condition has improved a lot and I am ready to play. If I am paired off with Boon Heong, we will go all out to win a point for the team," said Thien How.

"Although we have not played in an international tournament for years, we do partner each other in training and also on the local circuit. Our combination is so natural as we understand each other's game very well."

Boon Heong said he has no problems partnering Thien How or other back-up players like Teo Kok Siang or Goh V Shem as long as he can win Malaysia matches.
Courtesy of New Straits Times