Young guns ready for battle without Chong Wei
the experienced Lee Chong Wei to guide them, debutants Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao and Soong Joo Ven will have to fend for themselves at the Indonesia Asian Games that start on Saturday.
Former World No 1, Chong Wei had to withdraw from the competition due to illness, and is undergoing treatment in Taiwan.
This came as a huge blow, especially for fellow men’s singles shuttlers Zii Jia, Jun Hao and Joo Ven who will be playing at the Games for the first time.
When met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 yesterday, Zii Jia said: “I try not to think too much about it as this is my first Asian Games and I have been preparing for it since the Singapore Open.
So far everything is according to plan, I’m feeling good and I think I’ve hit top form as well, I just hope I can maintain this.
“I believe everyone wants to focus and play their best for Malaysia, one step at a time.”
Last year’s Asian junior champion Jun Hao admitted the team will miss Chong Wei, but it is no time for regrets.
“Chong Wei’s absence is indeed a huge loss to us, but the show must go on. We can’t play thinking we’re going to lose.
“As for me, I will only be playing in the team event, so hopefully I get a chance to take to court. Whatever it is, we have to just play our hearts out,” added Jun Hao.
In Chong Wei’s absence, the BA of Malaysia have turned to old boy Liew Daren. The former national shuttler was invited to lead the squad after his semi-final exploits at the recent World Championships in Nanjing, China.
The other shuttlers who make up the team are 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, national No 2 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and mixed doubles shuttlers Chan Peng Soon and Goh Soon Huat.