Calm before the storm: Goh Jin Wei (centre) speaking to the press after a training session ahead of Uber Cup Finals at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre yesterday.
CHENGDU: Expectations on Malaysia in the Uber Cup Finals might be low but this will not dampen Goh Jin Wei and her teammates’ spirit.
Malaysia have been placed in the same group as Thailand, Taiwan and Australia and face a tough battle to reach the last eight.
Jin Wei, who has qualified for her first Olympics in Paris in July, believes that there is still much to gain for her and the rest of the team in the prestigious team meet.
“For me, the Uber Cup will be a good platform for me to prepare for the Olympics,” said Jin Wei after a training session at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre in Chengdu yesterday.
“This is the last major tournament before the Olympics and will be a great chance for me to get the competitive feeling.
“The team is also in high spirits and we hope to spring a surprise.”
Malaysia will take on Taiwan tomorrow in their opening group match.
World No. 32 Jin Wei will likely take on Taiwan’s world No. 5 Tai Tzu-ying in the first singles.
On facing Taiwan, Jin Wei said: “On paper, we have less chance than them but we have nothing to lose and will fight hard.
“We have travelled so far for the tournament and win or lose, we will give 101 percent.”
The other singles players in the team are K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Nurshuhaini Azman and Siti Zulaikha Azmi while the doubles players are Teoh Mei Xing, Go Pei Kee, Tan Zhing Yi, Ho Lo Ee and Chan Wen Tse.
Malaysia last made it into the quarter-finals in 2010.
Meanwhile, Jin Wei is keen to build on her fighting performance against India’s 2019 world champion P.V. Sindhu in the first round of the Asian Championships earlier this month.
The 24-year-old gave Sindhu a run for her money before narrowly going down 21-14, 14-21, 19-21.
“I think I showed good progress in the match against Sindhu and I hope to do more,” said Jin Wei.
“Now that I have achieved my dream of qualifying for the Olympics, I want to work harder to try to go as far as possible in Paris.”
