Early Indonesia threat to Malaysia's badminton team
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia loom as Malaysia’s biggest early obstacle after the national men’s team were drawn with the Asian powerhouse in Group D of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Qingdao, China from Feb 3-8.
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesia loom as Malaysia's biggest early obstacle after the national men's team were drawn with the Asian powerhouse in Group D of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) in Qingdao, China from Feb 3-8.
Also in the group are Myanmar, but with Malaysia unseeded, BAM secretary general Datuk Kenny Goh acknowledged that a meeting with a top team was unavoidable.
"Our target is to try to beat Indonesia. Because we are not seeded, we will have to face a seeded team in the knockout round. Indonesia are one of them, so we have to play them," said Kenny.
Kenny stressed that Malaysia were not heading into the tie without belief, adding that the aim would be to push for a strong group-stage finish to improve their quarter-final prospects.
"It's not that we have no chance at all. We will try, and there is hope to finish top of the group.
"If we finish top, then hopefully the quarter-final draw will be a bit easier.
"For singles, we will send the best available. For doubles, there may still be discussions," Kenny said.
The national team feature two top pairs in world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 5 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
BAM may also opt to send second stringers in world No. 17 Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King or world No. 33 Haikal Nazri-Choong Hon Jian to expose them to a continental team competition.
Kenny said independent players Lee Zii Jia and men's pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will not be considered for the BATC.
However, BAM may call upon them for the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, in April.
In contrast, the women's team face a more straightforward path in Group W, where they have been drawn with China. With only two teams in the group, Malaysia are guaranteed a place in the knockout stage and will also avoid the Asian giants in the quarter-finals.
The Malaysian men won the BATC title in 2022 but the women's team are still chasing a first final appearance, with their best performances being semi-final finishes in 2020 and 2022.
