Justin and Co pale in comparison to full-team HK and Indonesia


Be positive: Justin Hoh must remain undaunted when he faces strong teams like Hong Kong and Indonesia in team competitions.

KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Kong could prove to be a thorn in Malaysia’s side at the Asia Mixed Team Championships, set to take place in Qingdao, China, from Feb 11-16.

Under the guidance of former Malaysian coaching director Wong Choong Hann, Hong Kong have assembled a formidable squad, signalling their intent to challenge for the title.

Their men’s singles line-up features world No. 20 Angus Ng Ka Long, alongside Lee Cheuk Yiu and Jason Gunawan, providing them with solid depth in the category.

In the women’s doubles, world No. 13 pair Yeung Pui Lam-Yeung Nga Ting will lead the charge, backed by world No. 47 duo Lui Lok Lok-Tsang Hiu Yan.

The mixed doubles category will see two-time World Championship bronze medallists Tan Chung Man-Ng Tsz Yau looking to make an impact.

While Hong Kong may lack star power in the men’s doubles and women’s singles events, their strength in three key categories could pose a serious threat to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, another Group B contender, Indonesia, have also taken a similar approach to Malaysia by fielding a back-up squad.

A VERY LOW BLOW

However, their line-up remains formidable and capable of mounting a strong challenge.

Among those called up are Alwi Farhan, Yohanes Saut Marcellyno (men’s singles); Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin, Yeremia Yacob-Rahmat Hidayat (men’s doubles); Putri Kusuma, Komang Ayu (women’s singles); Lanny Tria Mayasari-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti, Meilysa Trias-Rachel Rose (women’s doubles); and Lisa Ayu Kusumawati-Rinov Rivaldy (mixed doubles).

National singles coach Kenneth Jonassen sees both pros and cons for Malaysia, particularly in the singles event, as he is aware of the significant gap between his players and their opponents.

However, he wants players like Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh (men’s singles) and K. Letshanaa, and Wong Ling Ching (women’s singles) to remain undaunted in a team competition, where surprises are common.

“Overall, I think Indonesia haven’t picked their strongest line-up, but they’re still very, very good. They have great depth, so that will be a challenge in itself,” said Jonassen.

“Of course, Hong Kong have all their top players on the roster, so if they field their strongest line-up, it will be a great challenge for us and result in difficult matches.

“But as I said, this is exactly the kind of competition I want to see us playing against.

“There are pros and cons. The advantage of facing top players is that you get to experience that high level of play. The downside is that winning becomes much harder.

“On the other hand, if you play a weaker opponent, the pressure is suddenly on you. That’s the learning experience, finding ways to perform when you’re considered the favourite. I see value in both situations,” said Jonassen.

Only the top two teams will advance to the quarter-finals, and the team that reaches the semi-finals will automatically qualify for the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 4 in Xiamen, China.

However, Malaysia can still qualify for the tournament through their world ranking, with the national squad currently ranked No. 5 in the world.

RESULTS

(Malaysians only)

SECOND ROUND

Men’s singles: Wang Zhengxing (Chn) bt Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (Mas) 21-19, 21-15; Jeon Hyeok-jin (Kor) bt Jacky Kok 21-13, 21-18.

Men’s doubles: Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana (Ina) bt Choi Sol-gyu-Goh V Shem (Kor-Mas) 21-11, 21-18; Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin (Ina) bt Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing 19-21, 21-16, 21-14.

Women’s singles: Putri Kusuma Wardani (Ina) bt S. Kisona 13-21, 21-14, 21-17.

Women’s doubles: Lin Xiao-min-Wang Yu-qiao (Tpe) bt Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting 21-17, 23-21.

Mixed doubles: Adnan Maulana-Indah Cahya Jamil (Ina) bt Loo Bing Kun-Ho Lo Ee 21-7, 18-21, 21-14.

FIRST ROUND

Men’s singles: Mohd Zaki Ubaidillah (Ina) bt Justin Hoh 21-17, 12-21, 13-21; Jacky Kok bt Ayush Shetty (Ind) 21-15, 21-17; Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin bt Mithun Manjunath (Ind) 21-14, 21-13; S. Sankar Muthusamy (Ind) bt Cheam June Wei 15-21, 21-15, 21-19.

Men’s doubles: Loh Kean Hean-Howin Wong (Sin) bt Bryan Jeremy Goonting-Fazriq Razif 25-23, 21-18, 21-16; Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn-Worrapol Thongsa-Nga (Tha) bt Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (Mas) 21-17, 21-19; Choi Sol-gyu-Goh V Shem (Kor-Mas) bt Wong Vin Sean-Goh Boon Zhe 21-8, 21-16; Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing bt Pongsakorn Thongkham-Wongsathorn Thongkham (Tha) 21-18, 21-16; Leo Rolly Carnando-Bagas Maulana (Ina) Chia Weijie-Lwi Sheng Hao 21-15, 21-12.

Women’s singles: Tung Ciou-tong (Tpe) bt K.Letshanaa 21-10, 22-24, 21-18; S. Kisona (Mas) bt Tanya Hemanth (Ind) 15-21, 21-11, 21-13.

Women’s doubles: Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting (Mas) bt Kavipriya Selvam-Simran Singhi (Ind) 21-17, 21-14.

Mixed doubles: Loo Bing Kun-Ho Lo Ee (Mas) bt Misha Zilberman-Svetlana Zilberman (Isr) 21-13, 21-6.

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