PETALING JAYA: Top mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying are having worried looks on their faces following their below-par performances at the recent European competitions.

The pair started the year ranked No. 3 in the world but early exits in the German Open and the All-England have seen the duo slipped down to fifth. With the need to achieve good seedings for the Guangzhou World Championships in August on their minds, Peng Soon-Liu Ying are taking the US$1mil Axiata Cup, which starts on Thursday at Surabaya, as a perfect platform to get back to winning ways.

“We had our ups and downs this year but now we are motivated to get back into stride. The Axiata Cup is a team event and every point counts,” said Peng Soon.

“We will be up against stronger opponents and we need to win every match. Our current rankings have slipped to fifth and that is not ideal for the World Championships.

“We want to be ranked among the top four before the world meet and a good showing in Surabaya will certainly boost our confidence as we seek to move on,” added Peng Soon.

His views were echoed by Liu Ying, who has more reasons to be excited with the Axiata Cup, as this is the first time the tournament will have a mixed doubles tie.

“I’m all excited about the Axiata Cup. It’s the first time we will compete in it and going by the entries, it’s going to be a challenging tournament,” said Liu Ying.

The 23-year-old who has been struggling with a nagging knee problem also added that she has been taking constant care of her problem and should be in top condition for the Axiata Cup.

“It’s an old injury but there is some damage to the cartilage,” explained Liu Ying.

“However, I have been receiving injections for five weeks before competing in the German Open and now I’m feeling much more comfortable.”

Meanwhile, national mixed doubles coach Jeremy Gan, believes that his top pair have received sufficient rest since the All-England and will be ready for the Axiata challenge.

“I want to see them bounce back with vigour and determination. Their contribution will be vital as this is a team event,” said Jeremy.

Malaysia will play four matches in Surabaya, against the Philippines, Thailand, Europe All Stars and hosts Indonesia. They will face the other three teams – Singapore, Vietnam, and Asia All Stars – in the second round from March 29-31 at home.

For the Surabaya leg, Peng Soon-Liu Ying are expected to come up against All-England champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir, Thai duo Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam and the English pair of Nathan Robertson-Jenny Wallwork.

Only the top four teams in a the round-robin format will make the the semi-finals which will be held on April 13.

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