Play it cool, says Koo to Aaron-Wooi Yik ahead of final

Tan Boon Heong-Koo Kien Keat at the prize presentation ceremony at the 2010 World Championships in Paris. - The Star pix by Glenn Guan

PETALING JAYA: Former doubles ace Koo Kien Keat has urged Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to play it cool.

Kien Keat wants them to take advantage on the ageing Indonesian pair Hendra Setiawan-Mohammad Ahsan in their maiden World Championships final in Tokyo on Sunday (Dec 28).

Kien Keat and partner Tan Boon Heong were the last Malaysian pair to reach the final of the major event 12 years ago but they were beaten by four-time champions Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng in Paris for the title.

Hendra, 38, and Ahsan, 35 next month, are possibly one of the oldest pairs to reach the final and Kien Keat urged Aaron, 25, and Wooi Yik, 27, to take advantage of the age factor.

Hendra has won the world title four times - winning it for the first time with Markis Kido (2007) and three more with Ahsan (2013, 2015, 2019).

"The Indonesians have achieved a lot. But Hendra is 38 while Ahsan is 35 and Aaron-Wooi Yik should take the age factor to their advantage. Just play it cool," said Kien Keat.