Malaysia face daunting task in women’s world team meet

PETALING JAYA: It’s going to be an uphill task for Malaysia to repeat their silver medal feat at the Women’s World Team Squash Championship.

Two years ago, Malaysia were surprise 2-1 winners over favourites Egypt in the semi-finals. Nicol David and Co, however, were beaten 2-1 by England in the final.

It was still Malaysia’s best-ever result, having previously won four bronzes in the biennial meet from 2006-2012.

But with eight-time world champion Nicol on the decline, Malaysia certainly have their work cut out for them when the championship starts in Paris from Nov 27-Dec 3.

But world No. 5 Nicol, who has competed in the world teams since 2002, believes camaraderie will pull through.

“It was a huge milestone for us two years ago and I was proud to be part of the team that was fully committed to winning the silver,” said Nicol on www.wsfwomensteams.com.

“And we will continue to encourage and support each other again to bring out our best and utilise our strengths to take us forward.

“But the world teams is always unpredictable because it’s a different set-up compared to playing on the Tour.

“It makes things interesting for us and we’ll work hard to justify our seedings in this year’s competition. Everything else will be a bonus,” added the 33-year-old former world No. 1.

Malaysia are the third seeds. Besides Nicol, the others in the four-member team are seasoned campaigners Delia Arnold and Low Wee Wern and 17-year-old debutant S. Sivasangari.

They are drawn in Group C with nine-time champions Australia, Wales and Austria.

Defending champions and second seeds England are in Group B with the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Top seeds Egypt – powered by world No. 1 Nour El Sherbini, No. 3 Nouran Gohar, No. 4 Raneem El Welily and No. 8 Omneya Abdel Kawy – are in Group A with New Zealand, India and Japan.

Group D comprises Hong Kong, France, Holland, Germany and Spain.