KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 (
Bernama) -- Malaysian first singles player Lee Chong Wei blamed head coach Yap Kim Hock for placing too much pressure leading to his loss to Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
The world No. 3 and tournament second seed went down tamely 11-21, 9-21 in 36 minutes to Indonesia's second singles player, a three-time Asian champion.
Chong Wei said Kim Hock put too much emphasis on him winning to end a 30 year drought since 1977 particularly when it was being held at home.
"Kim Hock always stressed that I have to deliver in the singles. No other players name were mentioned. The intense pressure affected my focus during the game," he added.
He said this problem only came about when Wong Tat Meng became singles coach replacing Chinese Li Mou in Feb.
"I had been under Tat Meng for five months but my game did not improve until I asked to train under former national champion Misbun Sidek, Li Mou's predecessor.
"Kim Hock may not like it but under Misbun, I won the Indonesian Open in May," said an emotional Chong Wei.
He admitted that his relationship with Kim Hock was frosty since six months ago and that he had to expose this as he did not want his game to suffer at future tournaments.