Koo/Tan May Be Split As Strategy To Confuse Korean Pairs

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) -- Top Malaysian men's doubles pair, Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong may be separated as a strategy to stop the Korean's domination in the Thomas Cup qualifying campaign in Macau, which will be held from Feb 13-19. National doubles coach, Pang Cheh Chang said the duo, ranked sixth in the world, are expected to face two strong Korean pairs, Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae and Ko Sung Hyun/Yoo Yeon Seong, who are ranked second and fourth respectively. "I and chief coach for men's doubles Tan Kim Her may pair Tan and Hoon Thien How. The duo have previously been tested in the Piala Sudirman Championship in Qingdao, China last May where they have outclassed Jung Jae Sung/Lee Yong Dae," he said here Friday. Meanwhile, Koo would be paired with other players who have been selected to compete in Macau such as Lim Khim Wah, Goh V Shem and Teo Kok Siang. The Malaysian team is confident that the two singles player, Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Muhammad Hafiz Hashim can contribute two points and hope the doubles will be able to deliver one valuable point. Pang said the compatibility of Tan/Hoon would now been tested in the training sessions and the duo had one week to strengthen their game before the Thomas and Uber Cup squads leave for Macau. The national team will start the Thomas Cup campaign against Hong Kong on Feb 14 and South Korea the following day. -- BERNAMA