No sign of hope!

Let's face it - when Lee Chong Wei retires after the Olympics or some time next year, Malaysia will be no where to be seen in the badminton scene.

His replacement

Liew Daren

The 25-year-old is far from what Chong Wei is or ever was in recent years.

There is no one ready to step up, besides Zulfadli Zulkifli. But that boy is still only 18 and will need lots of nurturing despite already winning the World and Asian junior titles last year.

BAM secretary is aware of the situation and disappointingly admitted that it will take two to three for a new talent to emerged.

Well that's only singles you may say. but what about the doubles department.

Sadly, after showing all sorts of promise in the past, Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong have only showed signed of a fall and have admitted to needing soul searching.

Read Trouble in paradise in today's Mailsport for a wrap-up on the recently concluded Malaysia Open SuperSeries.

Let's not celebrate yet!

Chong Wei has won two of the two Super Series tournaments so far - the Korean Open and Malaysia Open.

Some are starting to jump on the bandwagon that he is ready to bring Malaysia her first Olympic gold medal. But let's not get overly excited.

Thankfully Chong Wei and his coach, Tey Seu Bock, are well aware there is more work to be done.

The Korean Open deserves credit as he defeated Lin Dan, arguably his only competitor for the Olympics gold medal, in the final. But what about the Malaysia Open?

Indeed he barely had to work hard, except against Chen Long, for the title despite China sending Lin Dan and Chen Jin as well. Lin Dan, as we all know pulled out his antics yet again!!! (read previous post to get an understanding.

Anyway Seu Bock had this to say 

"He is still not at 100 percent and will need to push harder. China will surely have something up their sleeves for the London Olympics..." 

Damm right! Keep up the good work Chong Wei.

Read Chong Wei: I'm not done yet and Seu Bock cautious of Chinese assault in today's Mailsport.

The Conspiracy Theory?

That's a question only Lin Dan and the rest of the Chinese national set-up can answer.

pic taken from The Malay Mail

Everyone at the press area were observing Lin Dan's match despite Lee Chong Wei playing on court 1. Only because Lin Dan lost too easily to Jans O Jorgensen.

True, sportsmen can have their off days as mentioned to me by one of my twitter followers. But I am convinced it wasn't an off day for Lin Dan - he just gave no fight and conceded defeat too easily.

We had already expected Lin Dan to concede a walkover to Chen Jin in the quarters, as he did to Chen Long last year. We just didn't expect it to be any earlier.

Maybe the Chinese decided to avoid another controvesy of withdrawing to a compatriot, some thing that has happened many times before.

Read The Chinese conspiracy in today's Mailsport 

Just a thought - the Chinese could be conspiring to let Lin Dan drop to third in the BWF ranking, letting Chen Long be in the top half of the Olympic draw, leaving Lin Dan and Chong Wei to battle it out in the semifinal. Lin Dan, at his best, can and will beat Chong Wei -  this will ensure gold and silver to China.

Just a possibility.

They surely need help.

pic taken from The Star

Once upon time the above picture gave Malaysia hope that it could rule the doubles department for years to come.

That remained a fantasy as they have failed to win the heart of fans since winning the Malaysia Open in 2010.

The 2012 edition was no different. Understandably Koo Kien Keat was utterly disappointed.

"I've been soul searching for the last one year but nothing has help me. I need help. Hopefully there is someone out there who can help me," said Koo Kien Keat.

"This can't be going on but it has and it is very frustrating."

"We have to find back our rhythm and confidence of the past. That is the only way." 

Koo-Tan, Malaysia's top ranked pair went down to Korea's third ranked pair Kim Ki Jung-Kim Sa Rang 21-16, 18-21, 21-16.

They still have time on their side but they have to act quick.... or else what started of as a fairy-tale may have a bitter ending.

Is there a Chong Wei replacement?

A big fat NOOO is the answer.

At least that's what Taufik Hidayat thinks. Even Lee Choong Wei agrees that there is no ready replacement.

Malaysia and Indonesia were long foes in badminton, this was before China emerged. While Malaysia can still rely on Chong Wei, Indonesia's Taufik and Simon Santoso are slowly fading away. They may be still in the top ten BWF ranking but they are no match for Lin Dan and Chong Wei.

Because Indonesia does not have a next generation of players ready to step in, Taufik vows to keep himself in the game as long as he can - if he can remain a top player.

"Look at Pete Gade... He's 34 but still going strong. Maybe I'll ask him what's his secret," said Taufik.

According to Taufik the Future looks dull as Malaysia and Indonesia lack depth in quality.

Meanwhile Chong Wei, agreeing wih Taufik, calls for Daren to step up

There is Zulfadli Zulkifli though. However the World and Asian junior champion will need a good few years of grooming. But let's not get carried away and hype him up. 

Goodbye Olympics

Gan Teik Chai has admitted that his pairing with Tan Bin Shen can only dream of the Olympics. The KLRC pair had lost to German pair Michael Fuchs and Oliver Roth 21-19, 21-13 at the Malaysia Open earlier.

pic taken from ssdhaliwal.blogspot.com

Shortly after the loss I spoke to Gan. Here's what he has to say.

"The Olympics dream is off. We have to face reality after losing in the first round today. It's impossible to qualify now... unless of course the extraordinary occurs (what he said it's best i leave it out)."

"I'm only getting older so I have to re-align my target."

According to Teik Chai, Bin Shen shares the same sentiments.

Only few days back I wrote about them starting their road to London at the Malaysia Open. Read it here

Anyway all the best Teik Chai and Bin Shen. and special thanks to Teik Chai for being ever so accommodating to me earlier.

Experience still holds winning hand.

It could have been the other way around... infact it should have been as well. 22-year old Arif Abdul Latiff could have shown the exit to the much higher ranked Wong Choon Hann but the veteran believes young Arif had got his tactics wrong.

Despite being years older, Choong Hann held his own after losing the first set. The match ended 22-24, 21-17, 21-14.

pic taken from The Malay Mail

The 34-year-old believes he could have easily lost the match.
"He only opened up and wasn't hesitant to attack late in the third set. If he had started earlier. He would have beaten me. 
Read all about it in today's Mailsport.
Latest: Choon Hann goes down fighting to Spaniard Pablo Abian 24-22, 21-18...
I didn't know Badminton was played there :p