DOUBLES coach Pang Cheh Chang believes Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong can emulate Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong’s heroics in the 2006 Asian Games if they can match their predecessors’ powerful attacking game in Incheon.
Kien Keat-Boon Heong were a newly formed pair in 2006 and nothing was expected from them in Doha but they upset the form book to clinch the men’s doubles gold medal.
They dominated the circuit the following year with several important wins including the All England.
However, the critics were unkind to former World No 1 Kien Keat-Boon Heong whenever they failed in tournaments and soon their performance dipped due to pressure.
Cheh Chang hopes the same thing will not happen to V Shem-Wee Kiong as the pair are being groomed for the 2016 Olympics.
The coach, however, believes V Shem-Wee Kiong have their skills and motivation to regain Malaysia’s gold in the men’s doubles in Incheon.
“V Shem-Wee Kiong remind me of Kien Keat-Boon Heong. They are new and also hungry for success. I need to keep them hungry as I want them to win everything at stake,” said Cheh Chang at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara yesterday.
V Shem and Wee Kiong were first paired in the Thomas Cup in May, where they were unbeaten throughout the tournament. They continued their fine form by retaining Malaysia’s gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
“I think it will not be easy in the Asian Games as Japan, China and South Korea have quality pairs but all of them also fear V Shem-Wee Kiong. I also believe other countries have studied their game so I need them to continuously try new methods,” said Cheh Chang.
Newly crowned world champions Ko Sung Hyun-Shin Baek Cheol and Lee Yong Dae-Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea with Indonesia’s Hendra Setiawan-Mohammad Ahsan are the favourites for the doubles crowns.
Cheh Chang also reminded V Shem-Wee Kiong not to pressure themselves by thinking about targets during tournaments.
“The focus is now on them, so they must find ways to handle the pressure from concerned parties. It is important they do so as sometimes critics can be harsh.
“We had so many pairs in the past who failed to reach their full potential because of pressure,” Cheh Chang added.
Former world junior champions Hoon Thien How-Boon Heong are Malaysia’s other representatives in the men’s doubles event. By Ajitpal Singh