KUALA LUMPUR – “It’s not about winning or losing,” said national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky when asked about Malaysia’s loss to India in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Thomas Cup in Bangkok.
His tactic to switch up the doubles pair for the second time did not bear fruit.
It may have worked when Malaysia faced Japan in the group stage closer through Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, but it went sideways when they paired up again for their match against India last night.
“I’m sure people will ask why I put Izzuddin (instead of Chia Wei Jie with Goh Sze Fei). It’s not about winning or losing.
“I’m not saying that it was the right or wrong move. But I was trying to keep Sze Fei and Izzuddin’s momentum going after that played well against Japan (in the group stage closer), so we expect them to carry their fight well against India (in the semis).
“I’m also not saying I’m right or wrong, but this is part of my responsibility as a coach which is to believe in my players.
“Since the Badminton Asia Championship, I can see their confidence taking off and they were really looking forward to the Thomas Cup. They were ready,” explained the former Indonesian shuttler.
The second scratch pairing Aaron Chia-Teoh Ee Yi, on the other hand, managed to deliver points in their match against Japan and India.
The 54-year-old coach added that while Malaysia did not underestimate India, it is a matter of choosing a player that could better handle the pressure in the world’s most prestigious badminton team event.
‘Zii Jia was crucial in setting the tone for the team’, says Choong Hann
Meanwhile, singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann applauded Lee Zii Jia’s composure in handling the pressure of the tournament as he never failed to deliver a point for the team.
However, he said the decision to field youngster Ng Tze Yong instead of veteran professional Daren Liew in the second singles of the quarterfinals against India’s Srikanth Kidambi could have worked both ways – win or lose.
“We trusted Tze Yong to take on the challenge. Srikanth is still ahead of Tze Yong in terms of tactics and overall ability. It is a fact that we have to accept.
“As for Leong Jun Hao, he had played against Prannoy H. S. once, two years ago, in the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championship, which he won but that doesn’t mean we could brush Prannoy aside. Yesterday, Prannoy played much better.
“From my take, Leong and Tze Yong did their very best. Just that Leong wasn’t able to resist that kind of pressure from Prannoy in the third singles. We have to accept that he didn’t have the depth to face him yet,” said the former world number one.
Admitting that Tze Yong had less than a year to perfect his ability, Choong Hann said the 21-year-old still had a gap to fill when he played against Srikanth. Despite that, Tze Yong was the only best solution the team had for second singles.
“I know Tze Yong has been consistent in how he showcased himself. He may be expressionless on the court but that is just how he is, in person too.”
“As a player, they just have to be prepared for this kind of situation. Our players need to learn from this and fight hard during training, not surrendering so soon, because you would not win if you don’t train hard.
“If they do not mentally come to the sense that this is necessary, then it’s difficult. But today, they felt the pain when they see their opponents celebrate in front of their eyes and witness the intensity of the match in front of them.
“To feel the pain in their heart and to bounce back from the loss to become a stronger player, that is part of the process that they sadly have to bear,” Choong Hann said. – The Vibes, May 13, 2022
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