Vivian: Malaysia on the right track despite Uber Cup failure
national Uber Cup team will have to go back to the drawing board if they hope to make it far in the next edition.
They failed to meet the quarter-final target after losing 4-1 to China in yesterday’s Group D match at the IMPACT Arena in Bangkok. On Monday, they were edged 3-2 by Indonesia.
Team captain Vivian Hoo, who failed to deliver a point in the tournament, said the team need to work harder ahead of the 2020 edition.
The last time Malaysia reached the last eight stage was in 2010 in Kuala Lumpur.
“We have failed in our quest to reach the quarter-finals, but at the same time, I am proud of the team’s fighting spirit. Perhaps we lacked a little in our game plan, but I think we didn’t do too badly in this competition.
“If we can maintain this form and train like this, I think we stand a good chance of doing well in the next Uber Cup,” said Vivian, who together with Chow Mei Kuan lost 21-19, 21-15 to China’s Huang Dongping-Yu Zheng in the second doubles match.
Defending champions China took a 2-0 lead through World No 5 Chen Yufei, who clawed back from a game down to beat Soniia Cheah 18-21, 22-20, 21-18, and doubles Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan, who saw off Goh Yea ChingSoong Fie Cho 21-9, 21-8.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei, however, reduced the deficit by edging He Bingjiao 21-9, 17-21, 21-13 in the second singles match.
With Vivian-Mei Kuan down and out, Lee Ying Ying stepped up to play for pride.
The former world junior runner-up, however, was indifferent as she went down 21-16, 21-15 to Gao Fangjie in the last match.
Malaysia play France in their final group tie today.
“We know it won’t mean anything, but we are going all out to beat France. Our pride is at stake,” added Vivian.