NO PRESSURE ON CHARGES
Yoke Meng wants players to keep it cool
BUKIT Jalil Sports School (BJSS) coach Kwan Yoke Meng wants his shuttlers to play without pressure at the World Junior Championships in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as the competition begins today with the mixed team event.
Yoke Meng said: “Expectations are very high, but I want them to be calm.”
“We will field our strongest team in our opening group match against Armenia as I want the players to adapt to the conditions here.
“In last year’s meet, we made it to the final. I believe we can do it again and hopefully go a notch higher by winning the title.”
The last time Malaysia won the mixed team event was in 2011 in Taiwan.
Also in Group C1 alongside Malaysia and Armenia are New Zealand.
On the individual events on Oct 16-22, Yoke Meng said: “There are several top ranked players who could win.”
“I expect Goh Jin Wei (girls’ singles) and Leong Jun Hao (boys’ singles) to put up strong shows in their respective events.
“However, I do not want them to think too much about it. Yes, past results do give us an indication but performance on the day matters more.
“I can say that the players are all in good condition.
“Jun Hao suffered an injury last week, but it is nothing serious. He had some muscle stiffness,” he added.
Malaysia’s last title in the individual event was in 2015 in Peru through Jin Wei in the girls’ singles.
I expect Goh Jin Wei (girls’ singles) and Leong Jun Hao (boys’ singles) to put up strong shows in their respective events. KWAN YOKE MENG Bukit Jalil Sports School coach