Cheh Chang warns charges to be wary of underdogs
mixed doubles head coach Pang Cheh Chang has warned his charges to be wary of the underdogs ahead of the World Championships in Nanjing, China which starts today.
Malaysia will be represented by three pairs — 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, Singapore Open champions Goh Soon HuatShevon Lai Jemie and Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
Seventh seeds Soon Huat-Shevon and eighth seeds Peng Soon-Liu Ying are already through to the second round, after receiving first round byes, while Kian Meng-Pei Jing will play Taiwan’s Liao Min Chun-Chen Hsiao Huan in the first round.
While Soon Huat-Shevon and Peng SoonLiu Ying are expected to reach the quarterfinals at least, Cheh Chang wants them to be on guard.
“This is the world meet, and we are not the only ones who are prepared for it. If you realise, in any major tournament, there are usually upsets. If we are not careful, we can be knocked out,” said Cheh Chang.
“Soon Huat-Shevon and Peng Soon-Liu Ying have done well in the last couple of tournaments, so other pairs would have taken notice of them. They need to bring out their best from the start.
“Kian Meng-Pei Jing on the other hand have been struggling, but I want them to know that anything can happen. I want them to believe in themselves and hopefully turn things around for the better.”
Malaysia’s best performance in the mixed doubles event at the world meet was back in 2006 in Madrid, when Koo Kien Keat-Wong Pei Tty won bronze.
In the absence of former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, who has been ruled out due to illness, hopes are high for Malaysia to deliver in the men’s and mixed doubles events.