KUALA LUMPUR: The title might have proved elusive for the national men’s doubles shuttlers but outgoing coach Tan Bin Shen is still satisfied with the overall showing from his pairs in the Malaysian Open.
Bin Shen’s hopes of seeing his charges end Malaysia’s 11-year wait for a men’s doubles champion in the home Open went up in smoke after world No. 14 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun went down fighting 26-24, 16-21, 15-21 to China’s world No. 18 Chen Boyang-Liu Yi in the last four at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Saturday.
Bin Shen, who will now leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) to join the Hong Kong national team, was still happy with the effort shown by Wei Chong-Kai Wun along with Yap Roy King-Wan Arif Wan Junaidi and Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
World No. 23 Roy King-Arif lost in the first round while world No. 6 Aaron-Wooi Yik were knocked out in the second round.
“My target was to guide one of the pairs to the title in my last outing as BAM coach. Although we could not achieve this, I feel satisfied with the efforts and fight shown by the pairs,” said Bin Shen.
“Aaron had a slight injury, so he lacked some confidence on court. He will recover and come back and hopefully, It will not affect their game much.
“As for Roy King-Arif, they played well too although they lost. I hope they continue to improve and reach a higher level.
“We had targets but we can’t achieve it all the time. This is part of the process we need to go through. Hopefully, one day one of our pairs can win the Malaysian Open,” added Bin Shen.
Bin Shen also had a few wise words of advice to his charges.
“My advice to them is keep training hard, improve yourselves and aim high,” said Bin Shen.
“Don’t think negatively, focus on their goals and on training. Go all the way in the same direction with their partners. Put the effort and I believe one day they can make it.”
Meanwhile, Bin Shen said he was out to gain experience abroad.
“I have four years of experience coaching at the highest level and I want to gain new experience in Hong Kong,” said Bin Shen.“I want to learn the new culture, work with new players and improve so that one day I can become a better coach.”
Meanwhile, Bin Shen also gave a thumbs up to BAM’s move to appoint experienced Indonesian Herry Iman Pierngadi as his replacement.
“I feel this is a good move. Everyone knows Herry has produced good results with top players and hopefully, our players will improve under him,” said Bin Shen.
