No toying with the underdogs

PETALING JAYA: Badminton singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen hinted that a strong line-up will likely be fielded in Malaysia’s opening match against France in the Sudirman Cup today.

Malaysia are considered favourites against a weakened French team in their opening Group C match in Xiamen, China, but Kenneth warned against underestimating the Europeans as getting off to a winning start is the priority in a group that also includes Japan and Australia.

“Firstly, it’s always very important to get off to a strong start. Secondly, it’s also crucial not to underestimate our opponents,” said Jonassen.

“I believe that in team events, overall we are not playing according to the rankings and we have to play our best at all times.

“Sometimes, in team matches, players perform above expectations. So the team need to stay focused and committed.”

France have opted not to include the likes of world No. 10 Alex Lanier, world No. 20 Toma Junior Popov in the men’s singles and top mixed doubles pair Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue but Jonassen is still expecting a tricky match.

The Dane also wants to keep Malaysia’s team selection under wraps.

“I can’t really go into details about our team tomorrow (today) but I think overall, it’s about putting a strong line-up that we believe can get the job done,” said Jonassen.

“And for sure we should not underestimate any team. France like to be the underdogs and we have to take everything seriously and find the best way to get our campaign off to a strong start.

“It’s a very important match. Every match is but to get the best possible outcome out of this group stage, we need to win tomorrow (today),” said Jonassen.

“Those are the expectations and we don’t shy away from them. We understand what it means. On paper, we play a weaker side but that being said, we need to stay focused and committed to our game plan and execute it well.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how we fare and I’m sure all the players are as well,” added Jonassen.

In the men’s singles Jonassen has the option of selecting either world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao or world No. 46 Justin Hoh while either Goh Jin Wei (No. 43) or K. Letshanaa (No. 52) could be fielded in the women’s singles.

In the men’s doubles, head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has the luxury of choosing from world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, reigning Asian champions and world No. 4 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 7).

In the mixed doubles, Nova Widianto also has many options with world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, recently reunited world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (No. 14) vying to start.

World No. 5 women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah are the favourites to play ahead of Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting.

Malaysia need to finish in the top two in the group to progress to the quarter-finals.

With a strong looking Japan team in the group, a win against France is crucial for Malaysia to reach the last eight.