Coach spoilt for choice
HAVING too many choices is not always a bad thing, according to national mixed doubles coach Chin Eei Hui ahead of the Sudirman Cup in Nanning, China.
With two quality pairs to choose from, Eei Hui will have to make the right call as Malaysia take on 10-time champions China in the opening Group D tie on Sunday before facing India on May 21.
The top two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals.
In the absence of 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying, the national squad will be relying on World No 13 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and Tan Kiang Meng-Lai Pei Jing (No 19) to deliver the crucial point in both ties.
“For me, having options is not a bad thing. At least, we are not dependent on a single pair.
“Chances are also high for both pairs to play at the Sudirman Cup but I cannot reveal anything more,” said Eei Hui yesterday.
The former international, however, ruled out the option of scratching the pairs.
On how important it was for both the pairs to deliver, Eei Hui added: “It is not only the responsibility of the mixed doubles to deliver, every other department must also play their part in the competition.
“However, I know it is crucial for us to try and deliver a point. I will do my part to prepare the pairs mentally but at the same time, I do not want to pressure them.
“This will be Soon HuatShevon’s debut in the Sudirman Cup. I’d be happy if both pairs can give their best.”
Adding on, Eei Hui shared that Kian Meng-Pei Jing are currently in much better shape than their higher-ranked teammates, although Soon Huat is fast recovering from a tendon injury he suffered at the All England in March.
“Soon Huat only had a week of training before last month’s New Zealand Open, and he is still slowly recovering.
“Whether or not our pairs stand a good chance against China and India, it’s hard to say.
“If you look at the head-to-head record between our pairs and the Indian pair (Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Ashwini Ponnapa), we have got no advantage at all.
“That is why it is important for them to maintain their form and also produce the same kind of performance at the Sudirman Cup,” Eei Hui added.