KUALA LUMPUR − The absence of several of the world’s best badminton players would definitely help to improve the chances of the national team to secure their maiden title at the Badminton Asia Team Championships 2022 next week, according to national badminton legend, Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
He opined that the men’s squad, who emerged as runner-up in the 2020 edition, must make “hay while the sun shines” to taste glory in the tournament, which will take place at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam from February 15-20.
“I see our (men’s) squad have a high chance to be champions but they must qualify for the semi-finals first to build up confidence,” he told Bernama when contacted today.
The top two teams from each group for both the men and women’s categories will advance to the semi-finals and, thus, automatically qualify for the 2022 Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals to be held in Bangkok, Thailand.
It is learnt that current men’s singles world number two Kento Momota and world number four men’s doubles pair Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi of Japan as well as several renowned Indonesian players such as Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, Jonatan Christie and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo will not be participating in the tournament.
In the meantime, Chong Wei said that he is looking forward to the performance of promising young shuttlers in the tournament such as Ng Tze Yong, Syed Modi India International 2022 men’s doubles champions Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun as well as Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and reminded them to prove their mettle when they step on to the court very soon.
Commenting on the women’s squad’s challenge, the three-time Olympic silver medallist hoped that they will give their best to qualify for the Uber Cup despite knowing that they do not stand a good chance to emerge as champions.
“Not easy for the girls to win but I do hope they will push themselves and give their very best for Malaysia,” he added.
Yesterday’s draw saw the men’s squad drawn in Group B with Japan, Singapore and Kazakhstan and thus able to avoid three-time champions Indonesia (2016, 2018 2020), India, South Korea and Hong Kong, who have been pitted in Group A.
In the women’s draw, defending champions Japan and India await Malaysia in Group Y while Group Z comprises South Korea, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
With teams like China, Thailand and Taiwan not competing in this edition, the tournament format has been modified and there will be no quarterfinals. – Bernama, February 9, 2022
