Skipper Daren not upset over demotion

NEW DELHI: Malaysian Thomas Cup skipper Liew Daren has taken his demotion to the bench in his stride.

The 27-year-old captain was uninspiring in the two group matches he played.

He succumbed 21-18, 13-21, 19-21 to India’s R.M.V. Gurusaidutt and 20-22, 10-21 to Germany’s Lukas Schmidt. 

As a result, Thomas Cup newcomer Goh Soon Huat replaced him at third singles for Malaysia’s final Group C tie against South Korea on Wednesday. Daren warmed the bench but the relaxed-looking player took everything in his stride. 

“I didn’t play well against India and Germany ... so the coaches were right to drop me. I only returned to full training for the Thomas Cup two months ago because of my injuries, so my confidence level isn’t that good. 

“I don’t have any personal problems. It’s just that my confidence was shaken as I’ve had to come back twice from injuries. 

“I now have two days’ rest and I want to prove myself if I’m given the chance to play in the quarter-finals. 

“I have never given up as a player ... and I’m not about to start,” said Daren, who is making his second Thomas Cup appearance here.