Rexy Mainaky
PETALING JAYA: Don’t let the fans intimidate you.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky has called on the shuttlers to keep their focus in the fiery atmosphere at the Istora Senayan when the Indonesian Masters gets underway today with the qualifying tournament in Jakarta.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are likely to face a challenging environment from thousands of passionate home fans when they clash with Indonesian opponents early.
Fourth seeds Aaron-Wooi Yik may meet homesters Leo Rolly-Daniel Marthin in the second round while world No. 12 Sze Fei-Izzuddin have an even more challenging path. They could face at least two Indonesian pairs, All-England champions Shohibul Fikri-Bagas Maulana and world No. 1 Marcus Fernaldi-Kevin Sanjaya as early as the second round and quarter finals respectively.
Rexy wants his charges to keep calm and remain steady in the face of the partisan support.
“The hall in the Istora Senayan is small and the crowd is crazy. The players need to be steady and keep their focus during matches,” said Rexy.
“The players have trained twice since arriving here. They have tried the main court as well. So far, everything is good.
“Our pairs must be ready mentally and believe they can beat these home pairs.”
No Malaysian men’s doubles pair has ever won the Indonesian Masters since it was changed from the Indonesian Open Grand Prix Gold in 2010.
Meanwhile, Rexy hopes that all the newly formed mixed pairs under him will start their partnerships on the front foot.
Hoo Pang Ron-Toh Ee Wei, Chen Tang Jie-Valeree Siow and Choong Hon Jian-Peck Yen Wei are looking to make a good impression in their first international stints together.
Hoong Jian-Ee Wei are the only pair who will start from the qualifying round and will open their campaign against Willian Villeger-Anne Tran of France.
Pang Ron-Ee Wei will meet Hong Kong’s Chang Tak Ching-Ng Wing Yung while Tang Jie-Valeree face Indonesia’s Rivaldy-Pitha Haningtyas.
“I hope they will perform well with their new partners,” said Rexy.
Veteran Chan Peng Soon, who will be embarking on his second journey with Cheah Yee See after being reunited, will take on his former partner Goh Liu Ying who will also be playing for the first time with singles specialist Soong Joo Ven.
