Prove your worth
Reunited Peng Soon-Liu Ying must earn right to play for country
KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttlers Chan Peng SoonGoh Liu Ying will be reunited after an eightmonth break, but they will have to earn their spurs to feature in major tournaments next year.
Peng Soon-Liu Ying, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists and 2017 All-England runners-up, have been entered for the Thailand Masters in Bangkok from Jan 9-14 and the Perodua Malaysia Masters at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil from Jan 16-21.
They will have to use these two Open tournaments to earn the right to represent Malaysia at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4-15.
In their absence, two other pairs – Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai – had stepped up to the plate to be considered for the Commonwealth Games.
Kian Meng-Pei Jing are world No. 10 and Soon Huat-Shevon are No. 14.
Former world No. 3 Peng Soon-Liu Ying have dropped to No. 55.
National women’s doubles head coach Chin Eei Hui said that only one pair would be selected for the Games.
“Peng Soon and Liu Ying will resume their partnership but they’ll have to fight like everyone else to win a spot in the Commonwealth Games,” said Eei Hui.
“They have had good results in the past but we must assess their current form and condition first before selecting them for major tournaments. They may need time to regain their touch.”
The 28-year-old Liu Ying was ruled out of action after suffering a shoulder injury while partnering Peng Soon in their first-round loss at the Malaysian Open in April.
She underwent surgery in May and Peng Soon was paired up with Cheah Yee See.
Within six months, Peng Soon-Yee See became world No. 21.
Liu Ying returned to competition last month, partnering 2016 World Junior Championships bronze medallist Chen Tang Jie. They did well to win the India International Series in Hyderabad last week.
Apart from further improving the standard of her three top pairs – Peng Soon-Liu Ying, Kian Meng-Pei Jing and Soon Huat-Shevon – Eei Hui has also drawn up different plans for four other mixed doubles players – Hoo Pang Roon, Peck Yen Wei, Tang Jie and Yee See.
“They will play with different partners in the first few tournaments next year. Only then will we pair them up with a regular partner,” said Eei Hui.
Peng Soon and Liu Ying will resume their partnership but they’ll have to fight like everyone else to win a spot in the Commonwealth Games. Chin Eei Hui