Pei Jing keen on ‘overtime’
HAVING to play in every tie can be taxing, but an excited Lai Pei Jing is up for the challenge as she prepares for the May 21-28 Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia.
The mixed doubles shuttler — who will be making her debut in the biennial mixed team event — is expected to feature in every tie in the absence of Goh Liu Ying.
Liu Ying, who is the national No 1 duo with Chan Peng Soon, is skipping the event due to a shoulder injury.
The other two mixed doubles specialists listed for the competition are Tan Kian Meng and Cheah Yee See.
National mixed doubles coach Chin Eei Hui had earlier revealed that Pei Jing would have to play a key role in every tie as she could be paired with either Peng Soon or Kian Meng.
“I know that expectations are very high on me to perform since Liu Ying can’t make the trip. For most people, this would mean added pressure, but I am excited,” said Pei Jing when met at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).
“The mixed doubles match in every tie could be the decider and I have experience playing with both Kian Meng and Peng Soon.
“Of course, my game is more solid with Kian Meng as he is my regular partner, but Peng Soon and I have also played together before.
“My partnership with Peng Soon may be a little rusty, but I have faith in him. He is the most senior mixed doubles player and I am sure he will control things well on court.”
Pei Jing had a short partnership with Peng Soon in 2014 and the pair did reasonably well to reach the quarter-finals of the India Open Super Series and the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters and Syed Modi International Badminton Championships.
The 16-member national squad will leave for Gold Coast on Wednesday. Malaysia, who have not won the Sudirman Cup title before, are in Group 1C with Japan and Germany.