Koo-Tan’s lack of focus laid bare again during defeat by Indonesians

At the end of the day, it was yet another woeful performance by Malaysia’s top pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong that resulted in the surprise 2-1 loss to a second-string Indonesia Rajawali team in the Axiata Cup on Sunday.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who have been heavily criticised of late, were under pressure to deliver a point following Mohd Hafiz Hashim’s loss to Dionysus Hayom Rumbaka in the first singles.
Taking on Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra, the Malaysian pair appeared to be all fired up after smashing their way to a 10-2 lead in the first game before wrapping it up 21-10.

Young guns: Indonesia’s fourth ranked pair of Ryan Agung Saputra (left) and Angga Pratama celebrating their 10-21, 21-18, 21-13 victory over Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong in the Axiata Cup on Sunday. – Bernama

Everything was going fine in the second game until the score was tied at 16-all.
That was when their game went to pieces as they lost 21-18.
The third game was a foregone conclusion as the young Indonesian pair attacked relentlessly, forcing Kien Keat-Boon Heong to commit one unforced error after another, to win 21-13.
The defeat sealed victory for Rajawali and relegated the Malaysian Tigers to second spot in the group – and a dreaded semi-final match-up against a first-string Indonesia Garuda team.
The result also marked a new low for Kien Keat-Boon Heong – it was their first loss to the fourth ranked Indonesian men’s doubles pair.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who are No. 8 in the world, have also lost to the fourth ranked pairs from China and South Korea since last year.
Truth is Kien Kean-Boon Heong have only themselves to blame for the demoralising defeat as it is not the first time that they have performed below expectations on home ground.
Last year, they were beaten in the second round of the KL Open by Ow Yao Han-Chooi Kah Ming and they also lost to the scratch Korean combination of Kim Ki-jung-Kim Sa-rang in the second round of the Malaysian Open earlier this year.
It seems like they find it difficult to focus on their game on home ground. The pair also struggled to beat Thailand’s Maneepong Jongjit-Patiphat Chalardchalaem in their first match in the Axiata Cup on Saturday.
“We know we didn’t play well because we were taking this tournament as part of our training and we were not in our tournament mindset,” explained Kien Keat after beating the Thai pair.
Boon Heong said that since their training was geared towards the Thomas Cup and Olympics, they couldn’t find their rhythm over the weekend.
But that is no excuse for such a weak performance and, with the Olympics just four months away, Kien Keat-Boon Heong really need to buck up.
Meanwhile, the Tigers now have to do it the hard way – beat the Garudas next week – if they aim to win a share of the lucrative US$1mil prize money.
Courtesy of The Star