All England Final 2007 Preview

The finals of the 3rd leg of the Super Series will be underway tonight. We have a pair in the finals where not many people would be surprise about. The fact is, they have taken the world of badminton by storm. 5 tournaments into their partnership, they have won twice, runnersup once, semifinalist once and now, reaching another final of a major tournament.

Watching them demolish 2-time All England Champions, Jens Eriksen and Martin Lundgaard Hansen was a masterclass. It was simple, effective and brilliant badminton. For all the people who cannot see beyond the power and smashing in badminton, you will not be able to appreciate Kien Keat and Boon Heong's skills. They are quick, agile, smart and crafty in their play. They do not have the biggest smash in the game but they have the all round play to hurt their opponents as much as a one time big smash by let's say Fu Haifeng.

The Danes have been famous through their careers for being mentally stronger than their opponents. They infamously deprieved Tan Fook and Wan Wah two All-England titles purely by mental strength or perhaps a lacking of it from our Malaysian veterans. This new pair is like a breath of fresh air. They are intelligent, brave and brash in their approach. Fearing no one that comes along their way. Their path to the final was not easy but they have yet to dropped a set.

Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng would not be easy tonight. But, for a sports enthusiast like me, I would guess that the Chinese pair game plan is to attack, attack and attack. If their attacking game is working, they could be tough to beat but if Rexy can come up with a plan to thwart that, Kien Keat and Boon Heong would be our first pair to win the All-England in 25 years. They have stopped the drought in the Asian Games with 36 years. Let's hope that the drought at All-England stops at 25.

My prediction would be victory to the Malaysians. (What do you expect?) It could be a quick two setter or even a tight three setter. Any way the match progresses, I believe our pair have what it takes to win it. Malaysia Boleh!