'Fire Dragon' Herry IP to face wrath of Indonesian fans at Istora Senayan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Istora Senayan in Jakarta is a venue most non-Indonesian shuttlers dread — and this week, national men's doubles coach Herry IP could face the full wrath of its passionate crowd.
Herry, who once produced some of Indonesia's greatest men's doubles stars, is now plotting their downfall as he attempts to lead Malaysia to their first men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open in 15 years.
The man known as the Fire Dragon is no stranger to the Istora — once his favourite battleground.
But this time, he returns as the enemy.
Since joining the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in February, Herry's impact has been electric, guiding national pairs to four consecutive titles on the World Tour since April.
Unsurprisingly, his decision to cross over to Malaysia has not gone down well in Indonesia.
With the once-dominant Indonesian pairs struggling for form, some fans are pointing fingers at Herry for their downfall.
But the veteran coach insists he has no regrets.
"It's normal for a coach to face these tough situations," Herry to Timesport.
"I just have to enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not worried about the pressure. I've always said I'm a professional and will give my best to the national men's pairs I'm now coaching."
Herry had steered Indonesia's men's doubles to nine home titles before moving to Malaysia.
But now his mission is to end Malaysia's long drought — the last success coming from Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari in 2008.
There's reason for hope.
World No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are in fine form ahead of the Super 1000 event, which begins Tuesday.
Aaron-Wooi Yik have already bagged three titles this year and are entering their fourth tournament in as many weeks.
Fatigue could be a factor as they open against Denmark's world No. 16 Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard before a potential second-round showdown with India's 2023 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (No. 27).
The Malaysians recently beat the Indian pair in the Singapore Open semi-finals.
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, meanwhile, have a more favourable path, beginning with Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (No. 33), and likely facing compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23) for a place in the quarter-finals.
Top seeds and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, an independent pair, should have little trouble overcoming Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen (No. 20) in their opener.
Also flying the Malaysian flag are Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32).
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