Malaysia wary of Korea in Thomas Cup opener
JAKARTA (Agencies): Malaysia's Thomas Cup coach Kwan Yoke Meng warned his shuttlers about South Korea as they would meet in the opening round-robin match of blue group at the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur starting on May 11.
"They have two strong pairs which are almost certain to deliver them two points, so what they need is only to steal a point from any three singles, which is not impossible for them," he said, as quoted by Bernama news agency.
Malaysia's first doubles Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah are likely to challenge South Korea's doubles Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-kwon in their match on May 12 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
"Tan Fook and Wan Wah have defeated the South Koreans in the last two meetings," Kwan said.
But another Malaysian pair of Cheah Soon Kit and Chan Choong Ming are no contest for Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung.
"Our advantage in the doubles lies with scratch pair Soon Kit and Chong Ming," the coach said.
The injury of Yap Kim Hock, formerly Cheah's partner, upset Malaysia's preparation.
Yap injured his left calf last month, and before he managed to recover, he was slightly injured during training on Friday.
"His first injury is healed. Last night he was given medical treatment for his new injury, which is in the same spot as the old one," coach Park Joo-bong was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying.
Kwan said Malaysian shuttlers must be able to win all three singles matches against Korea if they want to win.
Malaysia's first singles Wong Choon Han will likely face old hand Ahn Jae-chang, while second singles Ong Ewe Hock is scheduled to meet Park Tae-sang, and third singles Roslin Hashim is likely to take on Lee Hyun-il.
Veteran Rashid Sidek urged teammates to avoid succumbing to pressure which could affect the squad preparation.
"We have to make all the preparations, hence we should not exert undue pressure on ourselves as this will affect our mental strength."
Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein expressed hope that the shuttlers would give their full concentration to wrest back the trophy they won in 1992.
"It is now up to the players to do it for the country. There's nothing else I can ask of them," he said.
Malaysia is in the same group with Korea, Denmark and India. In the yellow group, defending champion Indonesia will face China, Sweden and England.
Meanwhile the Netherlands became the first team to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday for the championships.
Head coach Martyn van Dooremolen did not express high expectations in the Uber Cup match as singles Brenda Beenhakker and doubles Erica van Denheuvel were injured and failed to join the team.
"Brenda fractured her leg three weeks ago and Erica was injured during the semifinals in the just-ended European Championships."
The Netherlands is in the purple group with defending champion China, South Korea and Sweden. In the pink group, runner-up Indonesia will face Denmark, Japan and Malaysia.
With the absence of the two shuttlers, Dooremolen said the team needed to revise its strategy. He also said that his team arrived quickly so it could rest before facing South Korea in their first match on May 12.
The Netherlands lost 1-3 in a friendly match against host Malaysia on Friday.
Ng Mee Fen lost 3-11, 3-11 to Judith Meulendijks but Wong Miew Kheng tied 1-1 after beating Karina de Wit 11-9, 5-11, 11-7. Joanna Quay and Lim Pek Siah beat Carolien Glebbeek and Nicole Van Hooren 15-9, 17-14. Chor Hooi Yee and Ang Li Peng defeated Lotte Jonathans and Betty Krab 15-1, 15-3. (yan)