Kwong Beng wants to earn right to play Chong Wei in final

PETALING JAYA: It is almost a certainty that Lee Chong Wei will pick up an eighth men’s singles crown in the National Circuit Grand Prix Finals in Kuala Terengganu from Feb 18-21.
So, the more interesting question is who will be his opponent in the final?
His sparring partner Chan Kwong Beng is determined to earn that right.
The national back-up player reached the semi-finals last year and he is determined to go one better this time.
In the absence of Wong Choong Hann and Mohd Hafiz Hashim, the field is wide open between the players in Group B and D as to who will eventually face world No. 1 Chong Wei in the final.
Chong Wei should crusie past Kuan Kam Chung, Muhd Syawal Ismail and top junior Loh Wei Sheng in Group A and qualify for the semi-finals.
The fight to see who will meet Chong Wei in the semi-finals should be between Tan Chun Seang and Chong Wei Feng from Group C, which also comprises Muhd Hashim and Woon Kok Hong.
And Kwong Beng is relieved that he is not in Chong Wei’s path.
Kwong Beng is in Group D with Mohd Arif Abdul Latif, Goh Soon Huat and Soong Joo Ven.
The winner from Group D will play the winner from Group B, comprising Liew Daren, Lim Fang Yang, Zulfadli Zulkifli and Tan Aik Quan.
“It will be a short-lived draw for those in Group A and C as the chances of making it past Chong Wei is slim. He is on a different level compared to the rest of us now,” said Kwong Beng, who qualified as the top ranked shuttler thanks to his win in the Kedah Open last year.
“I am relieved to be placed in Group D as this opens up the possibility of making it to the final.
“The chances are there but it is still hard as the standard between the rest of the back-up players is very close.
“My initial target is to win the group to reach the semi-finals first.
“My toughest matches should be against Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and Goh Soon Huat.”
The other leg of the national circuit last year was in Perak, which Chong Wei won.
A new winner is set to be crowned in the men’s doubles with veterans Choong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah not defending their title this time.
Top doubles pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who did not play together in either legs last year, have also not qualified.

courtesy of the star news

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