Quick reflexes: Wong Ling Ching in action against UAE’s S. Sreeyuktha. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Independent shuttler Goh Jin Wei is feeling positive about Malaysia’s prospects in the women’s singles in the future.
Jin Wei believed both K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching, who are currently the country’s No. 2 and No. 3 respectively and are both 20-years old, have a bright future.
Letshanaa, who is the reigning national champion, is ranked 57th in the world while Ling Ching is 76th.
World No. 31 Jin Wei is the country’s No. 1 and only 24 but has been hampered by health issues.
K. Letshanaa reacts after losing a point against UAE’s S. Madhumitha.
Both Letshanaa and Ling Ching have the chance to prove their worth when they take on Thailand along with Jin Wei in a group match in the Asia Team Championships today.
Jin Wei has been impressed with the improvement shown by the duo while training with them at the Academy Badminton of Malaysia (ABM) for a week before the team meet.
“I could really see that Letshanaa and Ling Ching have been training very hard,” said Jin Wei.
“Letshanaa has even lost weight and is fitter now.
“I feel both their improvement is a good sign for Malaysian women’s singles in the future.”
Expectations are not high on the team in the Asia team meet despite reaching the semi-finals in the last edition in 2022.
Jin Wei, though, has called on her teammates to prove that they are no pushovers.
“We are the underdogs against Thailand and have nothing to lose,” said Jin Wei.
“We will just go out there, fight hard and see where we stand.
“Being lower ranked should not stop us from proving that we can do well.”
Jin Wei and her teammates are already assured of a spot in the last eight after easily beating minnows United Arab Emirates (UAE) 5-0 in their opening Group Y match at the Setia Alam Convention Centre yesterday.
The former two-time world junior champion swept aside Nurani Ratu Azzahra 21-13, 21-9 while Letshanaa eased past S. Madhumitha 21-11, 21-14.
Ling Ching then beat S. Sreeyuktha 21-4, 21-12 before doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah got in on the act with a 21-4, 21-5 win over R. Nayonika-Madhumitha.
Scratch pair Teoh Mei Xing-Tan Zhing Yi completed the rout by brushing past Zainaba Reem-Sreeyuktha 21-4, 21-14.
Thailand, who also secured victory over UAE a day earlier by the same scoreline, are also through to the quarter-finals.
The match between Malaysia and the Thais will now determine who will finish top of the group and get a seeding in the last eight.
