Daren Liew believes crucial win against Jan O Jorgensen will boost his confidence - Thomas Cup
Malaysia’s Singles campaigner Daren Liew finally revived his lost form as he intercepted Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark in group match of Thomas Cup Finals and now he is confident that this win will push him to excel in coming encounters as well.
Though, Malaysia had to face a 2-3 defeat but this fearless knock by underrated Daren really gave them something to cheer.
Things started going against them from very first game when the captain Lee Chong Wei conceded walk over against Peter Hoeg Gade due to a severe ankle injury.
Later, the Men’s Doubles team Boon Heong-Thien How made matter worse after losing to top Danish pair Mathias Boe-Carsten Mogensen.
In this critical situation, World Number 33 shuttler Daren Liew saved the country’s honour to some extent by overpowering higher ranked Jan O Jorgensen in second Singles tie.
Daren, who was under severe criticism earlier, stated that he had nothing to lose against the Dane and this worked in his favour when they were at verge of a 3-0 defeat.
He said, "I had no pressure. People always expected me to lose and I decided that I will focus on my match and win it for Malaysia. It became more important when we were 2-0 down but I was motivated."
The 24-year-old Malaysian put up great show of skills and registered a straight-set victory over Jan with 21-15 and 21-13 scores on the board.
Daren was ecstatic after this success and he termed this win a breakthrough. He also hoped that it will put him back on track.
He said, “Jan played badly and it helped. To win a point in my first Finals under such pressure is really a breakthrough for me. It will surely boost my confidence.”
He made his debut as second Singles campaigner but now he will swing arms as first Singles after Chong Wei’s departure from Thomas Cup Finals.
It will be huge task for talented Daren as now he will have to face world-class shuttlers like Lin Dan, Peter Gade and Lee Hyun Il but he is filled with confidence to perform beyond expectations against these top shuttlers.
Now, Malaysia is scheduled to meet China in quarter-final round of the event and without Chong Wei they are just looking to end their marathon in respectable manner by putting good resistance against the hot favourites.
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