Coach Jeremy believes V Shem-Wee Kiong will come good

Off colour: Goh V Shem (right) and Tan Wee Kiong have been struggling for form recently and were the biggest disappointment for Malaysia in the recent Sudirman Cup badminton championship in Gold Coast, Australia.

PETALING JAYA: National doubles coach Jeremy Gan believes that men’s doubles shuttlers Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong must be given more time and support as they seek to rediscover their best form.

The world No. 6 were the biggest disappointment for Malaysia in their recent Sudirman Cup campaign in Gold Coast, Australia.

The Olympic silver medallists lost twice to Japan’s world No. 5 Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda as Malaysia exited the competition in the quarter-finals.

Malaysia lost 3-1 in the last eight to Japan.

Their poor showing has also prompted Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria to call for their partnership to be reviewed after the World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, in August.

“It’s true they didn’t play well at the Sudirman Cup. They’re also struggling with consistency,” admitted Jeremy.

“There are several reasons for that. For a start, V Shem has been a little distracted with his wedding plans.

“And we have Wee Kiong struggling with a right knee injury. It swells when he pushes too hard during training and that restricts his movements.

“He’s been having this problem for a while. He’s undergone a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and there seems to be a meniscus problem.

“Still, they fought hard in Australia ... it’s too early to give up on them.”

Jeremy may have a point there.

“Even some of the top pairs – like All-England champions Lu Kai-Huang Yaqiong of China (mixed doubles) and Japan’s Olympic gold medallists Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi (women’s doubles) – lost when they were under pressure.

“V Shem-Wee Kiong are aware of their weaknesses and are working hard to get their act right.

“With enough time and the right support, I’m sure they will make a strong comeback at the world meet,” said Jeremy.

Barring any more injuries, V Shem-Wee Kiong will compete in the Indonesian Open in Jakarta from June 12-18.

They are seeded fourth and will face Thailand’s Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh in the first round.