SMASHING YOUNG GUNS
Malaysia avenge Commonwealth Games loss to India despite absence of Chong Wei and company
IT was sweet revenge for Malaysia in the Sudirman Cup in Nanning, China, yesterday. Despite the absence of five Olympic silver medallists, an understrength Malaysia rose to the occasion to record a come-from-behind 3-2 win over India in a Group D tie at the Guangxi Sports Centre Gymnasium.
India embarrassed a Lee Chong Wei-led Malaysia, who also had the services of Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (men’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles), in the mixed team final of last year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Chong Wei along with V Shem-Wee Kiong and Peng Soon-Liu Yong were silver medallists at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The win over India, which they desperately
needed after Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing by China, is testament that Malaysia’s upand-coming players are on the right path to achieving greater things.
While India are still in with a mathematical chance, it is highly unlikely that second seeds China will lose the tie, especially in front of their home fans today.
Lee Zii Jia was Malaysia’s hero as his win in the men’s singles put Malaysia back in business after mixed doubles Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai were defeated 16-21, 2117, 24-22 by Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Ashwini Ponnappa in the first match.
Soon Huat-Shevon’s defeat was a huge setback to Malaysia but World No 20 Zii Jia proved his doubters wrong with a 21-13, 2115 success over 13th-ranked Sameer Verma to level the tie.
Surprisingly, India opted for Sameer instead of World No 9 K. Srikanth.
“Our coaches sensed something was amiss when Srikanth did not train with his team yesterday (Monday). We suspected that India were making a change,” said BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
“However, it did not matter much because both Srikanth and Sameer are ranked higher than Zii Jia. We were definitely banking on our doubles to deliver but Zii Jia was our insurance in this tie.
“Zii Jia is a talented shuttler and past results have proven that he has what it takes to upset top players. He was so composed, even with all that pressure after our mixed doubles had lost the first match. Winning is one thing but to win with all that pressure is commendable.”
It was game on from then, but India quickly led again through 2016 Olympic silver medallist P. V. Sindhu who was just too strong for Goh Jin Wei.
The lanky shuttler needed only 35 minutes to dispatch Jin Wei 21-12, 21-8.
Malaysia had to win the remaining two matches, and they did just that.
The scratch men’s doubles combination of Aaron Chia and Teo Ee Yi defeated Manu Attri-B. Sumeeth Reddy 22-20, 21-19 to level the tie before women’s pair Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean overcame Ashwini Ponnappa-N. Sikki Reddy 21-11, 21-19 for the winning point.
“I want the players to realise that this victory is testimony of what they can achieve when they focus on the fundamentals. The results will come when you work hard.
“Of course, it is never easy when they have been swallowing bitter pills. But this win is justification to their hard work. Now they know why the coaches are always hard on them during training.
“It is a small victory, but I want them to have firm belief in themselves to reach greater heights.
“The players are now very excited, but we cannot slow down. Yes, we must compliment them for their effort but they must realise that this is the best platform to prove their worth.
“If we make the quarter-finals, we must be ready to face anyone. From this tournament, it’s clear that even the mighty can fall,” added Choong Hann, referring to fifth seeds Denmark, who were stunned 3-2 by England in Group B on Monday.