Solid run: Ong Yew Sin (back) and Teo Ee Yi overcame world No. 1 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia in the quarter-finals of the Asian Championships in Dubai.
PETALING JAYA: Their quality is unmistakable but independent pair Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi’s runners-up finish in the Asian Championships should give them the confidence too that they are up there against the best on merit.
The world No. 8’s superb run in the tournament ended with a defeat to India’s Satwiksairaj Rankyreddy-Chirag Shetty in the final hurdle in Dubai on Sunday.
Earlier, they overcame world No. 1 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto of Indonesia, who have remained the thorn in the flesh of all the Malaysian pairs in the past, in the quarter-finals and blew away former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan in the last four.
It has become the norm in the men’s doubles scene in recent times that any pair in the top 20 are capable of winning a title on their day but Yew Sin-Ee Yi came close before losing.
Coach Rosman Razak is undoubtedly pleased with their performances but wants them to keep going strong.
“They must always learn to rise from the ashes and keep fighting until their primary objective – qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics – is achieved,” said Rosman.
The Olympic qualifiers begin this month and will run until April 28 next year, and Rosman has urged Yew Sin-Ee Yi to be prepared for the long and exhausting qualifying period.
“Consistency during the one-year qualification will be important.. Yew Sin-Ee Yi always need to be positive whether their performance is good or bad,” said Rosman.
“It’s a long journey towards the Olympic qualification period ... we have to be strong in defeat and come back stronger and focus on the next tournament.
“This is how it is going to be for the next one year.
“Despite losing, I’m still proud of them for their never-say-die attitude during this tournament. They gave their maximum.
“We are not there yet but we will keep trying to be better next time.”
In terms of technical and tactical improvement, Rosman said Yew Sin-Ee Yi must improve their front court play and polish up the qualify of their strokes.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi are also part of the Malaysia’s Sudirman Cup squad where the mixed team competition will be held in Suzhou, China, from May 14-19.
They have the chance to avenge their Dubai defeat to Satwiksairaj-Chirag if they are fielded by Malaysia in a crucial Group C clash against India in the Sudirman Cup.
