Chen-Toh thank coach for tips on how to beat Indonesians

On a high: Chen Tang Jie (right) and Toh Ee Wei celebrating after beating Indonesia’s Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu in the second round. Below: Coach Nova Widianto. — Bernama

THANK you coach!

Mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei expressed their gratitude to their new coach Nova Widianto as his input helped the young pair upstage Indonesians Rehan Naufal-Lisa Ayu as they stormed into the quarter-finals at the Axiata Arena yesterday.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei, playing in only their third international tournament, overcame Hylo Open champions Rehan-Lisa 21-19, 21-16 in 46 minutes to remain the only Malaysian survivors in the mixed doubles.

Nova, the former Indonesian mixed doubles head coach who had guided Rehan-Lia to the Hylo Open title in November, had enough information on his former players that was utilised well by Tang Jie-Ee Wei to keep Malaysia’s flag flying high at home.

Tang Jie, 25, said Nova’s extra effort in arriving about a week early although he only had to start his job on Jan 1, was helpful in their preparation.

“We are really satisfied with the way we played and I must thank our coach’s input on our opponents. It helped us to win this match,” said Tang Jie.

“He said Rehan-Lisa were consistent in their attack and defence and we had to be patient, especially when we could not kill the rallies with our attack.

“Receiving of service is another area which has been a problem but he has helped us to improve on that also.”

The pair also sported a new hairstyle where both had dyed their hair orange but Ee Wei said it was not the reason behind their good performance.

“The colour was recommended by our regular hairstylist. She is very close to us and suggested that the colour may motivate us,” said the 22-year-old Ee Wei.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei will have to raise the bar when they take on former world champions Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand, who defeated Singapore’s Commonwealth Games champions Terry Hee-Jessica Tan 21-12, 21-13 yesterday.

“The Thai pair are very strong but we have to have faith in ourselves that we can beat them,” said a fired-up Tang Jie.

Another Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) pair Hoo Pang Ron-Teoh Mei Xing bowed out after losing 18-21, 21-13, 12-21 to French pair Thomas Gicquel-Delphine Delrue in a 62-minute second round match.

Independent pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie’s attempt to break their losing run to world No. 1 Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong did not materialise as the China pair secured a comprehensive 21-16, 21-10 win in 30 minutes.