Resounding start for Kien Keat-Boon Heong

JULY 28: There were no hiccups as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong started on their road to redemption with an emphatic 21-12, 21-14 win over Japan's Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato of Japan in their opening London Olympics group match on Saturday.

Victory was a must, with former world champions Tony Gunawan-Howard Bach and raging favourites for gold Chung Jae Sung-Lee Yong Dae also in the group, and Kien Keat-Boon Heong didn't disappoint.

In fact, their performance bordered on impressive and if they duo maintain their form, a place in the quarter-finals should be theirs.

"We played very well and our understanding was very good," said Kien Keat, whose poor form had been of particular concern coming into the Olympics.

"We moved very well and once we got into our groove, the Japanese found it very tough," he added.

Boon Heong, who said prior to the Games that gold was his only target, said it was all about focus.

"If we keep focused, I am confident of our chances," said Boon Heong.