PLAYING without a coach has backfired horribly for Lee Zii Jia.
The world No. 2 fell to a shocking 21-13, 17-21, 19-21 to Kodai Naraoka of Japan in the first round of the Malaysian Open yesterday, which was their first meeting on the international stage.
Despite the defeat, Zii Jia, who is playing without a coach after parting ways with Indonesian Indra Wijaya last November, defended his move.
“It’s not the same to play without a coach but I’ve already made the decision and I have to bear the consequences,” admitted Zii Jia.
“I’m not regretting my decision and will stick with it for now.”
It was indeed a disappointing start to the year for Zii Jia, who had hoped to be the second Malaysian after Lee Chong Wei to lift the home title since 2018.
The independent player started the match well against world No. 7 Naraoka and took the first game 21-13 with ease.
However, he could not maintain his good performance and found difficulty fending off stinging smashes from the spunky Japanese and went down 17-21, 19-21.
“I had given everything but unfortunately it was not enough,” said Zii Jia.
“It was challenging to control the draught but Naraoka was more patient and defensively better.
“In the third game, he was more confident than me in crucial moments.”
The 24-year-old though, has vowed to move on from the defeat and keep trying to regain his best form.
“I have to accept this result and move on. It’s not the best of start to the year but I will keep trying (to win) after this,” added Zii Jia.
Naraoka will face Ng Tze Yong next.
The world No. 25 Tze Yong, who dispatched off Ireland’s Nguyen Nhat 21-4, 21-10 in 35 minutes, is ready to face the Japanese.
“It will be tough as he is a really good player but I will give my all to win.”
