Shuttler Zii Jia enjoying the calm before the storm

THE national shuttlers were given a one-day break and youngster Lee Zii Jia took the opportunity to watch the action movie “Hitman’s Bodyguard”.

“We were given a day’s break after the opening ceremony. Our competition only starts on Tuesday (tomorrow). It’s nice to relax before the real battle,” said Zii Jia.

The 19-year-old will have a key role to play as the second singles when Malaysia open their campaign against Laos in the men’s team competition at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil tomorrow.

A win over Laos will set the em up for a semi-final clash against Singapore.

A date with either defending champions Indonesia or Thailand awaits Malaysia in the final.

The others in the Malaysian team are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Lim Chi Wing, Soong Joo Ven, Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin, Goh Sze Fei- Mohd Izzuddin Rumsani, Chan Peng Soon and Goh Soon Huat. Debutant Zii Jia is hoping to take Malaysia all the way to the final.

“It’ll be great to go all the way to the final in my fiirst SEA Games. We have a good team,” said Zii Jia. As the second singles, Zii Jia will be facing the likes of Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, Indonesia’s Ihsan Maulana Mustofa and Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab.

The good news is that Zii Jia has beaten them all in international tournaments over the last one year.

“I’ve beaten them all, but that was in the past. I’ll be even more prepared to face them this time,” said Zii Jia.

Zii Jia will also compete in the men’s singles with Iskandar.

At the Singapore Games two years ago, Malaysia won the men’s singles title through Chong Wei Feng and the team finished third.