Team urged to rise in Chong Wei's absence
the absence of Lee Chong Wei, the onus is on the national men’s and mixed doubles shuttlers to deliver at next week’s World Championships in Nanjing, China.
Rio Olympic Games silver medallist Chan Peng Soon believes that it’s time for the other players to step up, after years of over reliance on Chong Wei, who has been ruled out of the world meet and Indonesia Asian Games next month by illness.
When met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday, Peng Soon, who is also the most senior player in the team, said: “This time around, both the men’s and mixed doubles have got an equal chance to do well, we must make full use of the opportunity.
“Looking at the draw, the men’s and mixed doubles pairs can go far. However, we cannot be over confident.
“Of course just like every Malaysian, we, too, want to win the elusive gold medal, but we must focus and play well in every match.
“I wish for the women’s singles and doubles to do well too. But like I said, the best chance lies with the men’s and mixed doubles players.”
On how much will Chong Wei’s absence affect the players, Peng Soon replied: “I can’t comment much on this. We don’t really know how serious is his illness. All we know is that he is sick and we hope for him to get well soon.
“In the meantime, we have to stay focused to get the job done.” Peng Soon, who partners Goh Liu Ying, are seeded eighth in the mixed doubles.
They are already through to the second round, after receiving a first round bye and are likely to face India’s Saurabh SharmaAnoushka Parikh in the second round.
The other national mixed doubles in the fray are seventh seeds and Singapore Open champions Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, while in the men’s doubles, Olympic silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong will lead Malaysia’s charges, along with Ong Yew SinTeo Ee Yi and debutants Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The other Malaysian shuttlers who left for Nanjing on Friday were women’s doubles Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and women’s singles’ Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah.