More opportunities for Koo-Tan

THE Myanmar Sea Games doesn't seem to be a priority for men's doubles Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong as they are likely to be given the opportunity to qualify for the Super Series Finals in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 11-15.

Although Kien Keat-Boon Heong have been entered for the Sea Games where badminton will be held on Dec 10-14, the BA of Malaysia (BAM) has been delaying its decision while men's doubles coach Paulus Firman wants to wait until the conclusion of Denmark (Oct 15-20) and French (Oct 22-27) Opens before making the final call.

BAM is allowed to make changes where Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah could replace Kien Keat-Boon Heong but only if the top Malaysian pair don't do well in the European tournaments.

Kien Keat-Boon Heong should win the first round of the Denmark Open where they play the Netherlands' Rudd Bosch-Koen Ridder and then will probably face Germany's Michael Fuchs-Johannes Schoettler in the second round.

However, they face danger in the quarter-finals against the new South Korean combination of Lee Yong Dae-Yoo Yeon Seong.

Paulus said Kien Keat-Boon Heong, who are ranked No 8 in the super series standings where the top eight pairs will qualify for the finals, will be sent to the China and Hong Kong Opens in November if they have a good chance of qualifying for the event.

"Kien Keat-Boon Heong have a good chance of qualifying for the Super Series Finals and we cannot deny them the opportunity to qualify," said Paulus.

"If they don't do well in the Denmark and French Opens, they may get to play in China and Hong Kong so that they can confirm their place in the Super Series Finals.

"We should know after the European tournaments if they can make it to the Super Series Finals. If they can't, then we can enter them for the Sea Games. We have until Nov 1 to make the changes."

BAM president Tengku Mahaleel Tengku Ariff had stated that the Sea Games is one of the main targets for the association.

It is learnt that Indonesia will not enter world champions Hendra Setiawan-Mohammad Ahsan for the Sea Games and will rely on Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputra for gold in Myanmar.

Their absence should give Kien Keat-Boon Heong and Tan Wee Kiong-Hoon Thien How an outside chance of winning gold but BAM should make it clear early rather than taking a wait-and-see approach.

Lee Chong Wei, who has been given an exemption, will focus on winning the Denmark Open where he must beat regular foes Chen Long and Du Pengyu of China to win the title.

Chong Wei should clear the preliminary rounds easily and the expected last eight encounter against Denmark's Jan Jorgensen before taking on Pengyu in the semi-finals and Chen Long in the final.

Chong Wei is seeking his sixth super series title in Denmark and should he add the French Open to his collection, it will be his best achievement in the circuit.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/05/more-opportunities-for-koo-tan/