Doubles teams have no other choice but to win, says Kim Her – Thomas Cup Update
Doubles chief coach of Malaysia Tan Kim Her has directed his shuttlers to pocket vital points in Doubles ties when they face Denmark in group match of Thomas Cup Finals on May 22, 2012.
Both countries are in must-win situation as they are looking to end group stage as winner to ensure an easy draw in quarter-final round of the event.
National head coach believes Doubles encounters will play crucial role in this contest as the Singles Malaysian shuttlers are not completely in shape and that may jeopardise country’s stakes.
The skipper Lee Chong Wei just came back in court after couple of injuries while the veteran Hafiz Hashim is also carrying a minor foot injury.
In this critical situation, Kim Her wants his pairs to come forward and perform beyond expectations to ensure a spot in elimination round as a seeded team.
He said, “The doubles department have no choice but to win both points to ensure a smoother path in the next stage.”
Men’s Singles maestro Lee Chong Wei is likely to overcome Peter Hoeg Gade but it will be a huge task for other Singles shuttlers Daren Liew and Hafiz Hashim to surpass their opponents.
This will make Doubles ties consequential as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah will have to sweat hard against Mads Conrad Petersen-Jonas Rasmussen and Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe respectively.
The badminton guru is toying with idea to do experiment with his top pairs Kien Keat-Boon Heong and V Shem-Khim Wah. He showed intentions to field a scratch pair against higher ranked Danish couples.
However, Kim Her just wants to make sure that his players are mentally prepared for this exercise otherwise he will stick to his old guns.
He said, “I must look at all angles. The players must be comfortable if I make changes or else, it will be futile. Whatever we do, we will go all out for two points in the doubles that is my assurance.”
Meanwhile, the captain of Malaysian team Lee Chong Wei also stated that they will put a good show of team spirit to receive a favourable draw in the round of eight.
If Malaysia enters in quarter-finals as group champion they will successfully avoid strong contenders like China and Korea which ultimately will elevate their chances to surge into semi-finals of tournament.
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