Staying sharp: Soh Wooi Yik (front) and Aaron Chia in action against Singapore’s Loh Kean Hean-Wong Jia Hao during the quarter-final match of the Asia Team Championships at the Setia Alam Convention Centre yesterday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
SHAH ALAM: Will doubles shuttler Soh Wooi Yik be playing two roles in the semi-finals of the Asia Team Championships today?
Wooi Yik may be called up to play singles following setbacks to Ng Tze Yong and Lee Zii Jia.
Zii Jia and Tze Yong, who are the country’s No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, could not play against Singapore in the quarter-finals yesterday due to health and injury issues respectively.
World No. 15 Tze Yong, who has just returned from a back injury was fielded in the first singles instead of Zii Jia as the latter was battling a sinus problem.
The 23-year-old though was forced to retire against Jason Teh while trailing 1-3 in the first game at the Setia Alam Convention Centre yesterday.
Malaysia eventually defeated Singapore 3-1, thanks to points delivered by Aaron Chia-Wooi Yik, Leong Jun Hao and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
The team will play Japan in the semis today.
Japan beat India 3-2.
With only Jun Hao and 18-year-old Eogene Ewe being the other singles players in the squad, Malaysia may be forced to field a doubles player as the third singles.
The other doubles pair in the team are Choong Hon Jian-Mohd Haikal Nazri and although all have the experience playing in the singles, Wooi Yik seemed to be a better choice.
Men’s doubles coach Tan Bin Shen is ready for any eventualities.
“If both Zii Jia and Tze Yong can’t play, we have no choice but to field a doubles player in the third singles,” said Bin Shen.
“I think Wooi Yik played in the singles during his junior days but I can’t say for certain which player will be best to field in the singles.”Tze Yong was naturally disappointed.
“I still feel some pain in my back. I have not fully recovered from my injury,” said Tze Yong.
“I’m disappointed that I can’t play but injuries are unavoidable. I hope to recover and return to court as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile Zii Jia’s sister and manager Lee Zii Yii said: “Zii Jia has a sinus problem and the doctor advised him to not play today (yesterday).
“We need to check his condition and see if he can play tomorrow (today) or not.”
Zii Jia was in fine form when he defeated world No. 21 Lin Chun-yi 21-16, 21-13 in the last Group B match against Taiwan on Thursday.
It was sweet revenge for the independent player after suffering a painful loss to the Taiwanese in the Malaysian Masters last year.
