And he hopes that they can salvage some pride by putting up a better fight in the Asian Games men’s team competition scheduled for Nov 13-15.
He will be more than happy if Malaysia can make life difficult for defending champions China. Malaysia are the second seeds and they are tipped to play against China in the final.
“At the Thomas Cup Finals, we were taken down easily. If we are to meet again, the team must give a better account of themselves,” said Boon Heong.
Boon Heong forms a first doubles partnership with Koo Kien Keat. The second Malaysian pair are Mak Hee Chun-Tan Wee Kiong.
The singles players in the team are Lee Chong Wei, Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Liew Daren and Chan Kwong Beng.
China boast of having Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai, Chen Jin, Chen Long, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng, Guo Zhengdong-Xu Chen.
Based on current form, Malaysia’s only hope to win against China is to win the three points from the first singles and two doubles.
“Our strength is not balanced but we can depend on team spirit to give them a run for their money,” said Boon Heong.
Malaysia are expected to play against Thailand in the quarter-finals. Victory will give them a tie against Japan or South Korea for a place in the final.
China, however, have an easier route as the strongest challengers in their half of the draw are Indonesia.
Boon Heong will also be defending the Asiad men’s doubles title with Kien Keat.
“Kien Keat and I have been playing more consistently over the last six month. The chances are there and we hope to nail it again,” he said.
Among the top contenders for the men’s doubles gold medal are Cai Yun-Haifeng, who beat Kien Keat-Boon Heong twice in finals this year, and Koreans Ko Sung-hyun-Yoo Yeon-seong and Jung Jae-sung-Lee Yong-dae.
The Star
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