NATIONAL junior doubles coach Jeremy Gan is hoping Malaysia's failure to win the World and Asian junior titles in the same year will be ended by the impressive Mak Hee Chun-Teo Kok Siang.

Hee Chun-Kok Siang were rank outsiders in the Asian Junior boys' doubles but performed superbly to overcome favourites Chai Biao-Zhang Nan of China and Choi Young Woo-Kim Ki Jun of South Korea in the semi-finals and final respectively.

Gan said the pair's success was due to the fact that he made it clear to them that they are not going in as title contenders and it worked in their favour.

Malaysia have won the major junior crowns in similar fashion when the odds were against them -- securing the Asian Junior boys' doubles crown in 2002 through Koo Kien Keat-Ong Soon Hock but faltered in the semi-finals in Pretoria the same year.

In was a different scenario in 2004 when Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How, despite being favourites, fell in the quarter-finals of the Asian Juniors but went on to win the World Junior crown in Edmonton later the same year.
Chan Chong Ming was the only Malaysian to be consistent in both tournaments. He partnered Gan to win the 1996 World Juniors and 1997 Asian Juniors while in 1998, he swept both titles partnering Kok Siang's brother Kok Seng.

This year's World Junior Championships will be played in Pune, India on Oct 24-Nov 2.

"The junior players' mindset is never consistent and they can be easily rattled. The moment they win they put pressure on themselves. But I don't think this will be the case with Hee Chun and Kok Siang," said Gan.

"I still regard them as underdogs in the World Juniors as they will facing the same opponents. Their best match in the whole tournament was against Chai Biao-Zhang Nan but their overall performance was just average.

"So, they still have a lot to catch up on with emphasis on their strength. They must also keep improving their attack and defence.

"The pairs from China and South Korea are still better combinations and Hee Chun-Kok Siang know that they are not the favourites. At the World Juniors they must start from square one again."

Besides the boys' doubles, Hee Chun will also play in the mixed doubles partnering Vivian Hoo, while Kok Siang will have a final chance to win a singles medal in the World Juniors before graduating to the senior ranks. -- K.M. BOOPATHY