Koo-Tan want to lift team’s morale ahead of Thomas Cup qualifier

It looks like national doubles shuttlers Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong have done some deep soul searching and emerged enlightened.
Yesterday, a composed and determined Kien Keat and Boon Heong professed their resolve to lift the team’s morale ahead of the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament and also their commitment to revive their own medal hopes at the London Olympic Games.
The Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifiers will be held in Macau from Feb 13-19 and the London Games from July 28-Aug 12. In between, the world No. 6 pair have several assignments, including two main Super Series events - the All-England and India Open.
The 26-year-old Kien Keat, the older and more experienced of the duo, said he was ready to weave his magic again in the team event to restore the image of the men’s doubles.

Revitalised: Koo Kien Keat (left) and Tan Boon Heong are ready to make amends in the Thomas Cup qualifier after their recent fall from grace.

“There’s something about a team event where I tend to rise to the occasion. These have been difficult times but I am here today with a sincere pledge to give my best for the nation,” he said.
Kien Keat has given spirited displays in each of the four Thomas Cup Finals he has featured in since 2004.
“It’s a heavy responsibilty but I don’t want it to be a burden which weighs me down. What’s important is to take the necessary steps in training to improve my physical condition. Boon Heong and I are the underdogs and must work on the right strategies to overcome our higher-ranked opponents,” said Kien Keat.
On the meeting with South Korea in Group D of the qualifiers, Kien Keat said: “We don’t have any phobia against the Korean pairs. I remember playing in my first Finals without any fear. I’m going with the same attitude.”
Despite the hurtful words hurled at Kien Keat-Boon Heong following their spectacular fall from grace, starting with the demoralising quarter-finals defeat the World Championships last year, Kien Keat said they were revitalised and motivated after the heart-to-heart meeting with coaches and the High Performance Team (HPT).
“We have been down but the support from our coaches and officials has been exhilarating. All we have received has been loads of encouragement and this keeps us going,” said Kien Keat.
“Our ultimate goal is the Olympic Games but this doesn’t mean we won’t take the Thomas Cup seriously. It’s important too but our focus is on striking it right in London.”
Boon Heong, who played with Kien Keat in the last two Thomas Cup editions in 2008 (Tokyo) and 2010 (Kuala Lumpur) , said he would do his part to lift the morale of debutant pair Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Teo Kok Siang.
The other doubles player in the squad, Hoon Thien How, was also in the team for the last Finals in KL.
“It’s my job to deflect the pressure from the younger players. I will stand by them even if they make mistakes.
“This is a team competition and we need to support one another. I want to do my part to instil confidence in them,” said Boon Heong.
On the possibility of forming scratch partnerships at the qualifier, Boon Heong said: “I’m ready to play with anyone. We try out various partnerships in training so there shouldn’t be any problems.”
Malaysia can harbour hopes of making the cut for the Finals in Wuhan, China, in May if the doubles pairs rise to the occasion together with the singles players led by world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei, Only four tickets are available from the Asian Zone qualifiers.
Courtesy of The Star