New Strait Times Online - Badminton: Chance for Chong Wei to break duck before Games
K.M. Boopathy
Nov 17: NATIONAL coach Misbun Sidek wants Lee Chong Wei to compete in the Luster Open in Sungai Petani even if he is included in the Sea Games squad.
Chong Wei, the top seed for the satellite tournament which begins on Wednesday, has yet to win an international tournament and Misbun wants him to overcome the barrier to gain confidence.
Hafiz Hashim has been left out of the Sea Games due to a wrist injury and Chong Wei is certain to make the squad but this will not exempt him from the Luster Open.
Besides aiming for the title, Misbun said Choong Wei will get a chance to meet Sea Games rival Anuparp Thiraratsakul of Thailand and the tournament will be a good warm-up if he gets the nod to travel to Vietnam.
"Chong Wei will have to play in the Luster Open even if he is selected for the Sea Games as the title could give him confidence on the international circuit," said Misbun before leaving to Guangzhou on Saturday.
Malaysia will play China in a friendly today in Guangzhou.
"The Luster Open is not an easy tournament as Anuparp and several Korean singles shuttlers will be there.
Chong Wei reached the final of the Malaysia Open but lost to World No 1 Chen Hong of China in September and also suffered a shock defeat to compatriot Yeoh Kay Bin in the Indian satellite championships last month.
Chong Wei could meet Anuparp, the Thai No 2, in the Luster Open quarter-final and is expected to meet South Korean No 4 Park Sung Hwan in the final.
Based on his current performance, Chong Wei should face no problems winning the Luster Open but he has to impress Misbun in the friendly today.
Wong Choong Hann is expected to meet Chen Hong in the first singles, Chong Wei could take on Xia Xuanze while Lee Tsuen Seng is expected to meet either Lin Dan or ChenYu in the third singles.
Chong Wei lost 17-16, 10-15, 15-12 to Xuanze in the third round of the China Open, which concluded yesterday.
However, with the Sea Games spot up for grabs, the Malaysian should be determined to upset Xuanze.
K.M. Boopathy
Nov 17: NATIONAL coach Misbun Sidek wants Lee Chong Wei to compete in the Luster Open in Sungai Petani even if he is included in the Sea Games squad.
Chong Wei, the top seed for the satellite tournament which begins on Wednesday, has yet to win an international tournament and Misbun wants him to overcome the barrier to gain confidence.
Hafiz Hashim has been left out of the Sea Games due to a wrist injury and Chong Wei is certain to make the squad but this will not exempt him from the Luster Open.
Besides aiming for the title, Misbun said Choong Wei will get a chance to meet Sea Games rival Anuparp Thiraratsakul of Thailand and the tournament will be a good warm-up if he gets the nod to travel to Vietnam.
"Chong Wei will have to play in the Luster Open even if he is selected for the Sea Games as the title could give him confidence on the international circuit," said Misbun before leaving to Guangzhou on Saturday.
Malaysia will play China in a friendly today in Guangzhou.
"The Luster Open is not an easy tournament as Anuparp and several Korean singles shuttlers will be there.
Chong Wei reached the final of the Malaysia Open but lost to World No 1 Chen Hong of China in September and also suffered a shock defeat to compatriot Yeoh Kay Bin in the Indian satellite championships last month.
Chong Wei could meet Anuparp, the Thai No 2, in the Luster Open quarter-final and is expected to meet South Korean No 4 Park Sung Hwan in the final.
Based on his current performance, Chong Wei should face no problems winning the Luster Open but he has to impress Misbun in the friendly today.
Wong Choong Hann is expected to meet Chen Hong in the first singles, Chong Wei could take on Xia Xuanze while Lee Tsuen Seng is expected to meet either Lin Dan or ChenYu in the third singles.
Chong Wei lost 17-16, 10-15, 15-12 to Xuanze in the third round of the China Open, which concluded yesterday.
However, with the Sea Games spot up for grabs, the Malaysian should be determined to upset Xuanze.