Get set: Malaysia’s Hoon Thien How (left) and Tan Wee Kiong may be thrown into the cauldron at the Sudirman Cup championship in Bukit Jalil on May 19-26.

KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s doubles shuttlers Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong should not view themselves as mere bench-warmers in the Sudirman Cup, which will be held at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil from May 19-26.

National doubles chief coach Tan Kim Her said he’s ready to throw them into the cauldron.

Malaysia have named three men’s doubles pairs – seasoned campaigners Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Khim Wah-V Shem and Thien How-Wee Kiong – for the world mixed team event.

Kim Her said that all three could be fielded depending on Malaysia’s opponents.

Malaysia are in Group C with Germany and Taiwan. Top seeds China are in Group A with Indonesia and India. Group B comprises Thailand, South Korea and Hong Kong while Group D consists of Denmark, Japan and Singapore.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the elimination round, where a fresh draw will be conducted and Malaysia could meet any of these strong teams – China, South Korea, Indonesia, Denmark and Japan.

“Khim Wah-V Shem have lost to Germany’s top pair while Thien How-Wee Kiong have good record against them.

“Both the pairs have a good record against the Taiwanese pairs. Koo and Tan do not have good run against the South Koreans, though,” said Kim Her.

“So, anyone of them could be named to play ... I hope they’ll be ready.”

Kim Her said that it was also time for the second stringers – Khim Wah-V Shem and Thien How-Wee Kiong – to take some of the pressure off former All-England champions Kien Keat-Boon Heong.

“We have depended on Koo and Tan for far too long. It’s time for the other pairs to step up. The Sudirman Cup can be a good platform for the other pairs to prove themselves. If chosen, I hope they’ll deliver,” said Kim Her.

Khim Wah-V Shem have already shown some promise when they upstaged Kien Keat-Boon Heong in the final of the Malaysian Open Grand Prix Gold tournament at Juara Stadium in Bukit Kiara to nail their first career title last week.

Asked if he would split the partnerships to surprise their opponents in the Sudirman Cup, Kim Her said: “For now, I do not see any need to mix and match them.”

However, Kim Her may resort to it if the men’s doubles shuttlers’ services are needed in the mixed doubles.

Currently, the mixed doubles players are Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Ong Jian Guo-Lim Yin Loo.

Peng Soon is not at his best due to a hamstring injury and his participation is doubtful.

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