Write an article about Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik showed improved tactical maturity en route to winning their titles at the Thailand Open.
KUALA LUMPUR: In Malaysian sports, the term “Jaguh Kampung” or village champion is often used to describe athletes who win at home but struggle abroad.
For Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, the reverse has been the case.
The men’s doubles pair have won five BWF world titles, while Pearly-Thinaah have secured four – all overseas. But despite their international success, neither pair has won a title on home soil.
Fresh from their victory at the Super 500 Thailand Open, the big question now is: can they keep the same momentum going at the Malaysia Masters, which officially kicks off tomorrow after today’s qualifying rounds?
Their form in Bangkok last week has sparked optimism, with many believing this could finally be the year that one of them stands atop the podium at home.
However, world No 1 pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, top China pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Cheng, and compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are all ranked higher and pose serious threats.
As for the women’s doubles category, the world’s top two women’s doubles pairs, China’s Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida will present a huge challenge for Pearly-Thinaah.
The Malaysia Masters, a BWF World Tour Super 500 event, offers total prize money of US$475,000 (RM2.23 million), with US$37,525 (RM176,000) awarded to each winning doubles team.
Coach confident of home breakthrough
National men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Piernadi, popularly known as Herry IP, believes Aaron-Wooi Yik can pull off another victory given their high motivation.
“Those who have been following the players’ performances closely will know that they have been displaying much improved tactical maturity, especially when under immense pressure from their opponents.
“Their mental and physical conditions, too, appear to be very good,” he told FMT.
Herry acknowledged that facing top-ranked pairs would be tough, but said that strong home crowd support could give them an edge.
If the draw goes well, Aaron-Wooi Yik are expected to face top seeds Kim-Anders in the semi-finals, while Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin are on track to meet Liang-Wang.
Malaysia has not won the men’s doubles title at the Malaysia Masters since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2013. This year, the country will be represented by eight men’s pairs in a bid to end that drought.
Best shot yet for Pearly-Thinaah?
Former national player and coach James Selvaraj said Pearly-Thinaah stand a chance to win at home given their current form.
However, he cautioned that playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd could be overwhelming, and said that staying calm and consistent would be key, especially when trailing in a match.
“For some, the deafening support from fans can boost their confidence. Supporters, too, must understand that badminton has reached a super high competitive level and that it is never easy to win a title,” he told FMT.
Selvaraj believes Pearly-Thinaah’s current form is partly fuelled by their ongoing discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia about whether to remain under the national body or turn professional.
“All they have to do is play their normal game and enjoy the home support,” he said.
Third-seeded Pearly-Thinaah could face second-seeded Japanese pair Nami-Chiharu in the semi-finals.
Malaysia has only won the women’s doubles title once in the history of the Malaysia Masters, in 2012 when Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty took the crown.
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Pearly Tan-M Thinaah and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik showed improved tactical maturity en route to winning their titles at the Thailand Open.
KUALA LUMPUR: In Malaysian sports, the term “Jaguh Kampung” or village champion is often used to describe athletes who win at home but struggle abroad.
For Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M Thinaah, the reverse has been the case.
The men’s doubles pair have won five BWF world titles, while Pearly-Thinaah have secured four – all overseas. But despite their international success, neither pair has won a title on home soil.
Fresh from their victory at the Super 500 Thailand Open, the big question now is: can they keep the same momentum going at the Malaysia Masters, which officially kicks off tomorrow after today’s qualifying rounds?
Their form in Bangkok last week has sparked optimism, with many believing this could finally be the year that one of them stands atop the podium at home.
However, world No 1 pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, top China pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Cheng, and compatriots Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani are all ranked higher and pose serious threats.
As for the women’s doubles category, the world’s top two women’s doubles pairs, China’s Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning and Nami Matsuyama-Chiharu Shida will present a huge challenge for Pearly-Thinaah.
The Malaysia Masters, a BWF World Tour Super 500 event, offers total prize money of US$475,000 (RM2.23 million), with US$37,525 (RM176,000) awarded to each winning doubles team.
Coach confident of home breakthrough
National men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Piernadi, popularly known as Herry IP, believes Aaron-Wooi Yik can pull off another victory given their high motivation.
“Those who have been following the players’ performances closely will know that they have been displaying much improved tactical maturity, especially when under immense pressure from their opponents.
“Their mental and physical conditions, too, appear to be very good,” he told FMT.
Herry acknowledged that facing top-ranked pairs would be tough, but said that strong home crowd support could give them an edge.
If the draw goes well, Aaron-Wooi Yik are expected to face top seeds Kim-Anders in the semi-finals, while Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin are on track to meet Liang-Wang.
Malaysia has not won the men’s doubles title at the Malaysia Masters since Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah in 2013. This year, the country will be represented by eight men’s pairs in a bid to end that drought.
Best shot yet for Pearly-Thinaah?
Former national player and coach James Selvaraj said Pearly-Thinaah stand a chance to win at home given their current form.
However, he cautioned that playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd could be overwhelming, and said that staying calm and consistent would be key, especially when trailing in a match.
“For some, the deafening support from fans can boost their confidence. Supporters, too, must understand that badminton has reached a super high competitive level and that it is never easy to win a title,” he told FMT.
Selvaraj believes Pearly-Thinaah’s current form is partly fuelled by their ongoing discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia about whether to remain under the national body or turn professional.
“All they have to do is play their normal game and enjoy the home support,” he said.
Third-seeded Pearly-Thinaah could face second-seeded Japanese pair Nami-Chiharu in the semi-finals.
Malaysia has only won the women’s doubles title once in the history of the Malaysia Masters, in 2012 when Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty took the crown.
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