KUALA LUMPUR: Three tournaments down the line and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying begin to feel the need for a coach.
The Malaysian mixed doubles on Saturday crashed out in the semi-finals of the Indonesia Masters after going down in straight games 22-20, 21-11 to local favourites Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir.
The defeat also ended Malaysia's interest in the competition.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying, who quit the BA of Malaysia (BAM) last month, may have gotten off to a flying start this season when they clinched the Thailand Masters crown a fortnight ago, but the pair admitted it could benefit them to have an extra pair of eyes at the back every time they play.
"We know the importance of having a coach because when we are on court, there are certain things we can't see and when we aren't sure, we are forced into making mistakes.
"In the match against Tontowi-Liliyana, we played really well in the first game but some mistake towards the end cost us dearly. In the second game, we played into their tactics and it would have helped if we had a coach then.
"However, since we turned professional, we have to be mindful because budget is limited. That is our only concern now," said Liu Ying, when contacted.
The Malaysians, who are currently signed to two sponsors (Daikin and Li-Ning) are looking at possible tie up with fellow independent shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in securing a coach before the All England in Birmingham in March.
"That is the plan, and the discussions have been positive. If the four of us could get one coach, then it will be great to have that coach travel with us for tournaments as well.
"We definitely need a separate budget for this, but we are hoping to secure a coach by the All England," added Liu Ying, whose next tournament with Peng Soon is the German Open next month.
At the Malaysia Masters last week, both Malaysian pairs had the assistance of former internationals, Lee Wan Wah and Chew Choon Eng, who sat in as interim coaches.
Meanwhile, Tontowi and Liliyana, who are playing for the last time as a pair following the latter's decision to retire, will face World No 1, Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong of China for the Indonesia Masters title on Sunday.
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