Thailand Open GP Gold: Tough but good chance for backup Malaysians to step up – Badminton News
While Malaysian badminton has been undergoing a bad patch, the national backup shuttlers have got a golden chance to prove their class in Thailand Open GP Gold, starting from June 5, 2012.
However, they will have to earn their place in tournament as many top ranked shuttlers like World Number one Lin Dan, Tommy Sugiarto and Boonsak Ponsana will be swinging their arms in Bangkok.
National squad comprises Hafiz Hashim, Wei Feng Chong, Arif Abdul Latif, Zulfadli Zulkiffli, Misbun Ramdan Misbun, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Soong Joo Ven in Men’s Singles event.
Meanwhile, Men’s Doubles event will see low ranked pairs like Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang, Mohd Lutfi Zaim-Vountus Indra Mawan and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif.
There will be huge pressure on reserve campaigners as they are looking to perform beyond expectations to register their presence in the arena.
World Number 70 Misbun Ramdan is scheduled to meet third seeded Spanish shuttler Pablo Abian and if he wins then he will see either Korean player Hong Ji Hoon or spirited Chinese Chen Yuekun in next round.
Similarly, Junior World Champion Zulfadli will open his marathon against K Srikanth of India and he stands fair chance to proceed in second round where he will be up against badminton king Lin Dan.
Arif Latif, who has been demoted to 57th position in world ranking, will lock horns with Park Sung Min in his opening match and he will put all his skills to revive the lost form.
The other junior shuttlers Soong Joo Ven and Iskandar Zulkarnain will face Shu Wada and Andrew Smith respectively.
However, veteran Hafiz Hashim and talented Wei Feng will not find any tough competitor in opening round and they are expecting to surge into final stages of the event.
On the other hand, World Number 45 pair Mohd Lutfi Zaim-Vountus Indra Mawan is biggest hope of country in the event but they will have to surpass Indonesian couple Andrei Adistia-Christopher Rusdianto and World Number 15 duo Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan of China.
Moreover, former World Junior Doubles champions Chooi Kah Ming-Ow Yao Han and Nelson Heg-Teo Ee Yi will also strive hard to make their mark in senior category.
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