Daren aims to turn bitter past into better future – Badminton news
A flashback from the Thomas Cup 2006 will be pumping Malaysian shuttler Daren Liew to perform well in the ongoing qualifying round of the same event in Macau.
The bitter experience of 2006 Thomas Cup semi-final still haunts Daren Liew as an injury had forced him to sit out of the encounter that gave space for reserve player Beng Hong to face a Danish opponent. Hong lost the match and Denmark was able to defeat
Malaysia, 2-3. The loss had a long lasting impact on Hong’s badminton career and took years to wipe out.
Liew has been focusing on his physical and psychological fitness as the day has arrived for him to show his worth in the court. If he is picked as a third Singles player, his role will be crucial to ensure Malaysia a spot in the Thomas Cup Finals in China.
Liew said, “My weak point was my physical fitness and mental preparation but I have worked on these areas. I am ready for the battle.”
There are indications that he will be preferred over Arif Abdul Latif against Hong Kong and South Korea because Daren has a good record against his probable opponents, Chan Yan Kit or Wei Nan.
However, based on the fine form displayed by Hong Kong shuttlers’ earlier in the event, the matches are surely going to be a challenge for Liew. It was not a smooth path to victory for South Korea against Hong Kong, as in the absence of their senior players
it took Korea four hours to beat their challengers.
The strong resistance by Hong Kong has put the Malaysian team under pressure but Daren is determined to enter the court with a lot of faith. He said, “I have enough experience. I have played in the SEA Games team event and also the Asian Games. I admit I
did not play well in the last two major team events but I have learnt a lot. The valuable experience will help me in my first Thomas Cup campaign.”
It seems Malaysian shuttlers are not thinking of South Korea right now as they want to remain focused on their first encounter against Hong Kong. The Malaysians cannot afford to take their opponents lightly particularly when the Hong Kong team is putting
up a superb show.
On the other hand, Malaysian shuttlers especially Lee Chong Wei should be wary of Wong Wing Ki, who stunned Lin Dan of China in the Denmark Open last year.
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