ALOR SETAR, 9 Feb 2018:
The national women’s squad failed to qualify for the Uber Cup competition in Bangkok this year on merit – however, they still managed to book a place based on world ranking.
Malaysia, ranked 9th in the world, would have qualified on merit if they had made it to the Asian Team Championship semi-final – but lost 0-3 to South Korea in the quarter-final at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium here today.
National women’s head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock, who confirmed the matter, said he was disappointed the women’s squad failed to qualify on merit as targeted by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
In fact, he was also disappointed with the level of performance shown by the women’s squad against South Korea, saying it was not the standard he was looking for.
“Indeed, we have qualified based on ranking but I do not expect our singles players not to play up to their potential,” he said when met after the matchup.
He added that although he now had eight singles players, none of them were confirmed starters and they all had the opportunity to book a place in the squad for Bangkok this May.
Tey said players needed to show positive results, besides having discipline and high commitment to ensure they were fit to be in the national squad.
“Some players also need to show team spirit as this is a team tournament, and I hope things get better by May.”
In the women’s quarter-final match against South Korea, Soniia Cheah failed to win the first point for the country after going down easily to Sung Ji Hyun 13-21, 15-21.
Goh Jin Wei then fell to Lee Jang Mi 21-17, 11-21, 13, 21, before Vivian Hoo-Tee Jing Yi lost to Lee So Hee-Shin Heung Chan 10-21, 15-21.
The men earned the semifinals spot after disposing off Hong Kong in the quarter-final round of the 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC).
In the quarter-finals held at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium Suka Menanti today, world number two Datuk Lee Chong Wei gave Malaysia the head start needed when he overcame Angus Ng Ka Long 21-15, 22-20.
The Rio Olympic silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong then boosted Malaysia’s position when they outclassed Or Chin Chung-Tang Chun Man 21-11, 21-16.
Alor Setar born Lee Zii Jia continued his fine run in the tournament by whipping Vincent Wong Wing Ki 21-16, 21-15 to seal the match with a 3-0 win.
With the victory, Malaysia confirmed a slot in the 2018 Thomas Cup final round in Bangkok, Thailand to be held in May.
China will face Malaysia in the semi-finals tomorrow, as the team crushed India 3-1 in the BATC quarter-final.
K. Srikanth showed welcome consistency when he claimed first point by defeating Shi Yuqi 21-14, 16-21, 7-21.
He Jiting-Tan Qiang bounced back by beating R.Satwiksairaj-S.Chirag 21-17, 21-18 while Qiao Bin cheered up the team by slashing out SB Praneeth 9-21, 21-11, 21-17.
The double’s Hang Chengkai-Zhou Haodong secured the final point by beating A.Manu-RB.Sumeeth 14-21,21-19, 21-14.
Meanwhile, luck was not with Japan who exited the tournament after losing to Indonesia 2-3.
Kenta Nishimoto failed to deliver the point for Japan after he lost to Jonatan Christie 11-21, 22-20,13-21. while Takashie Kamura-Keigo Sonoda suffered defeat at the hands of Mohamhad Ahsan-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo 17-21,15-21.
Indonesia secured the point after Kazumasa Sakai went down to Anthony Ginting 23-21, 14-21, 17-21.
Indonesia will take on South Korea in the semi-finals tomorrow. Earlier, South Korea triumphed over Thailand 3-1.
– Bernama