SEU BOCK WANTS DEBUTANTS TO SHINE AT ALL-ENGLAND
Coach wants Soniia and Jin Wei to produce good results at All-England
PETALING JAYA: National singles head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock wants women’s singles shuttler Soniia Cheah and Goh Jin Wei to justify their inclusion in the All-England next month.
The duo will be making their debut in Birmingham, England, from March 14-18 and Seu Bock has advised against treating the tournament as a chance to gain exposure.
“They must take this opportunity to step up. This is their first All-England trip but it’s not a time to gain exposure,” said Seu Bock.
“It’s time for them to produce good results – an upset or two will do wonders for the women’s singles department.”
Since the days of former national No. 1 Wong Mew Choo, Malaysian singles girls have been toothless in major tournaments.
“The All-England women’s singles is competitive. All the top eight seeded players are with a chance of winning. It’ll be closely contested. It’ll not be easy for the girls but I want to see good fighting displays from them,” said Seu Bock.
The 24-year-old Soniia made her international debut in 2011 and showed good progress before an Achilles injury hampered her steady rise in the world stage between 20132015.
The 18-year-old Jin Wei qualified for the All-England last year but she withdrew because of a foot injury that saw her sidelined for four months.
Last year, Soniia and Jin Wei made it an all-Malaysian final at the KL SEA Games with the younger one winning the title.
“We don’t want to be good at the SEA Games level.
“I want the women’s singles to raise their game this year,” added Seu Bock.
The other Malaysians playing in the AllEngland are Lee Chong Wei (men’s singles), Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Teo Ee Yi-Ong Yew Sin (men’s doubles) and Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Yong, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (mixed doubles).
Defending champion Chong Wei is the only Malaysian seeded in the US$1mil (RM3.8mil) tournament. He is seeded second behind reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.