PETALING JAYA: It is time to regroup and get the original pairs to gel again.
That will be coach Herry Iman Pierngadi’s game plan after Malaysia’s men’s doubles challenge ended at the Asian Games.
Aaron Chia-Tee Kai Wun went down in the second round to defending champions Kim Won-ho-Seo Seung-jae of South Korea at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium.
Professionals Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who trained with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) players before the Asian Games, went down 13-21, 17-21 to China’s Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang in the quarter-finals on Sunday (Sept 27).
Malaysia also lost to eventual champions Indonesia in the quarter-finals of the men's eam event, where Aaron-Kai Wun won their match but Sze Fei-Izzuddin lost.
Herry took his players’ early exits in his stride.
“I still saw the same thing. They have to reduce their mistakes at crucial moments. I guess you need to have a calm mindset when you are chasing the last few points,” said Herry.
Aaron will resume his partnership with Soh Wooi Yik after this, while Kai Wun will reunite with his regular partner Man Wei Chong for the upcoming European tournaments in France and Denmark.
“The focus now is to rebuild their chemistry. They have not played together for a while, so we need to get their synergy back.”
