Goh-Izzuddin revel in opportunity to steal limelight

No fear: Goh Sze Fei (left) and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are prepared for the challenge as the second pair at the Thomas Cup Finals.

PETALING JAYA: Doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani know that they have been in the shadows for far too long.

And now that they have been presented with an ideal platform to make a name for themselves in the Thomas Cup Finals, the 24-year-old Izzuddin for one does not want to waste the opportunity as the country’s second pair.

The duo missed the selection for the Finals squad in 2018 Bangkok although they were the country’s third ranked pair as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) then decided to name independent shuttler Mohd Arif Abdul Latif.

“After so many obstacles, we finally get to play the role as of one of the main characters,” said Izzuddin.

The world No. 26 were left disappointed recently when they were left out from the squad for the Sudirman Cup in Finland due to Sze Fei’s sore shoulder.

“But all is good now. Sze Fei has recovered and we are raring to go in our first Finals,” he said.

“There are many other good pairs in the second doubles but we don’t fear anyone. We have come prepared.”

Izzuddin-Sze Fei showed a glimpse of their potential when they upstaged former world champions Ko Sung-hyun-Shin Baek-cheol of South Korea in the first Thailand Open in Bangkok in January en route to reaching the quarter-finals but their challenge fizzled out early in the Swiss Open in March.

It’s their lack of consistency that had been a problem.

The duo made heads turn with their fast attacking play en route to reaching the final of the 2017 Malaysian Masters but since then, they have not really gotten a big break in their careers.

“The journey has been challenging but my father has been my inspiration. He has continued to motivate me to keep the fight,” added Izzuddin, who hopes to make his dad and nation proud.