Wrong decision?: Critics say if Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani were fielded Malaysia may not have lost to Japan in the Sudirman Cup.
PETALING JAYA: Stop the blaming game.
Former world No. 1 doubles player Koo Kien Keat (pic) has raised concerns over criticisms hurled at the coaching staff and the men’s doubles players, unfairly scapegoating them after Malaysia returned empty-handed from the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China.
Malaysia lost 2-3 to Japan in the final Group C tie and went down tamely at 0-3 to mighty China in the quarter-finals.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky and doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi were accused of making an error in selecting Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik instead of the world No. 2 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to face Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in the crucial Group C decider on Thursday.
The Japanese pair had been a formidable opponent for Aaron-Wooi Yik, who had lost eight of their previous 10 encounters. In contrast, Sze Fei-Izzuddin had recently defeated the Japanese duo just two weeks earlier at the Asian Championships in Ningbo.
Asian champions Aaron-Wooi Yik made a promising start in the match but once again crumbled when Hoki-Kobayashi staged a comeback just as victory seemed within reach. They lost 21-12, 20-22, 21-23, and eventually Malaysia suffered a narrow 2-3 loss.
Having missed the chance to top the group, Malaysia were drawn to face 13-time champions China in the last eight. Lack of depth in women’s department had always seen Malaysia struggle to make a mark in the Sudirman Cup.
Kien Keat believes that every decision made by the coaching staff is the result of thorough discussion and collective decision, and not simply based on past records.
He further emphasised that blaming Rexy and Herry for the team’s failure is unjust, especially considering that the Sudirman Cup was a team event. And in fact, it is not Malaysia’s cup of tea, as they lacked a balanced team.
“Let’s be clear, this isn’t just about the men’s doubles team. It’s a team event that includes five different disciplines. If you’re selected to play doubles and the team lose, usually you will get the blame.
“But why is the focus on who gets picked for the men’s doubles in the first place? If the pair wins, then everyone says the coach made a great call. But if they lose, suddenly it’s the coach’s fault.
“Every coach has their own reasoning behind the decisions they make. I believe the coach and players discuss these matters thoroughly before finalising the lineup.
There’s a meeting before the team list is submitted. This is a standard procedure, the coach and players work together to determine who is best suited to play.
“I don’t get it. There’s no need to be too harsh on the men’s doubles team. Yes, they should deliver a point, but what’s the point of blaming them if things don’t go as planned?” said Kien Keat when contacted.
To put things into perspective, Indonesia also took a bold gamble by fielding Putri Kusuma in the quarter-finals despite her poor track record, having lost all eight of her previous encounters against Pornpawee Chochuwong.
However, Putri defied expectations by stunning the world No. 6 with a straight-game victory, winning 21-18, 21-14. Her triumph sparked a comeback for the Indonesian team, who went on to seal a 3-1 win and book their spot in the semi-finals.
The result also ended Indonesia’s medal drought, with their last podium finish coming in Nanning in 2019.
For Malaysia, the setback ended their hopes of replicating their bronze-medal achievements from the last two editions in Vantaa in 2021 and Suzhou in 2023.
