Choong Hann’s silence a sign of Hong Kong’s determination

CHENGDU: Wong Choong Hann (pic) chooses to remain mum on Hong Kong’s chances in the Thomas Cup Finals but his silence speaks volumes of their determination to beat Malaysia in their opening Group D match in Chengdu today.

The former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director is staying focused on his task of guiding the likes of Lee Cheuk Yiu and Angus Ng Ka Long against his former players.

When questioned on the match-up against Malaysia, Choong Hann merely answered, “I don’t want to comment.”

Hong Kong’s best result in the prestigious team meet was reaching the quarter-finals in the 2016 edition in Kunshan, China.

That time, the team did well to finish second behind Indonesia in a group also containing Thailand and India.

Hong Kong went on to lose 1-3 to Indonesia in the last eight.

Maybe, China could be a place for Hong Kong to rise again as a win for Hong Kong against Malaysia will put them in the driving seat to reach the quarter-finals again.

The team have the opportunity to win points in the singles through world No. 15 Cheuk Yiu, world No. 27 Angus and Chan Yin Chak (No. 91) or Jason Gunawan (No. 94) while Malaysia are the favourites in both the doubles.

The other teams in the group are 2016 winners Denmark and minnows Algeria.