Malaysian shuttle coach fumes after star doubles flop

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's All-England doubles champions Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong have been branded "big-headed" by their coach as they prepare for August's World Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat (L) and Tan Boon Heong celebrate after winning the men's doubles finals match of the Malaysian Open badminton tournament in Kuala Lumpur, January 2007. Malaysia's badminton coach has warned he may axe the pair from the Indonesian Open because success has gone to their heads.[AFP]

National doubles head coach Rexy Mainaky was furious after the pair lost in the final of the recent Asian Championships in Johor Bahru, according to local reports, and fears their self-indulgence may undermine their World Championships hopes.

"The signs are already there," The Star newspaper quoted Rexy as saying.

"People are looking up to them because of their successes on the international stage and the attention and praise is getting to them.

"Kien Keat tends to play to the gallery and this is what I fear most, especially when it comes to the World Championships. A full capacity crowd is expected and I don't want them to repeat this [poor performance]."

Koo and Tan, the Asian Games champions, lost to compatriots Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah in the final of the Asian Championships and Rexy is set to take action if his star pairing fail to improve, including taking away their mobile phones.

"If I have to impose any restriction, it is for their own good.. I treat all the players under my care the same, irrespective of how many titles they have won," Rexy was quoted as saying