Playing style of Koo Kien Keat has no effect on his quivering performance, says coach Tan Kim Her
Malaysia’s Doubles national coach Tan Kim Her is not ready to consider Koo Kien Keat’s playing style a reason for his quivering performance in the opening matches of Axiata Cup, which is in progress in two countries including Malaysia and Indonesia.
Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong, who are currently World Number Eight in Men’s Doubles world placements, lost to lower ranked Indonesian opponents Ryan Agung Saputra and Angga Pratama.
The coach is of the view that playing trick shots is the natural style of Kien Keat and he has no intention to change it as it will affect his game.
At the same time, Kim Her also indicated that he is not ready to consider Kien Keat’s playing style a fault that prevents him from delivering a good performance.
The coach said, “That’s the kind of player Kien Keat is and we must accept it. We can’t force him to change his style of play to something he’s not comfortable with. Kien Keat’s game is not really one of the reasons why he and Boon Heong played poorly against
Indonesia. You also can’t blame it on their physical condition.”
He added, “Physically, they are improving day by day and it won’t be long before they get back to their best. They just need to stay focused during matches and kill off their opponents at the right time.”
Kim Her also said that Kien Keat and Boon Heong are working hard to win a medal in Olympic Games.
He expressed that the shuttlers should be give the margin as they are showing a good attitude in their preparations for the mega event.
The Malaysian duo will face Indonesia Garuda in the semi-final of Axiata Cup. The contest is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 30.
In the Axiata Cup Semi-final, Kien Keat and Boon Heong are expected to lock horns against Indonesia’s talented shuttlers Mohd Ahsan and Bona Septano or the ruling Olympic champions Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido.
After the Axiata Cup, Kien Keat and Boon Heong will participate in the India Open Super Series, which will take place in New Delhi from April 24-29.
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