Rexy: Justin can only get better physically with more action

CHENGDU: Shuttler Justin Hoh’s (pic) encouraging performance in the Thomas Cup Finals after an injury-hit year is a positive sign for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup Finals.

The 20-year-old, who was making his debut, gave Denmark’s world No. 26 Rasmus Gemke a scare before going down fighting 13-21, 21-19, 13-21 in the last Group D match at the High Tech Zone Sports Center in Chengdu on Tuesday.

Malaysia lost the tie 2-3 to finish second in the group.

National coaching director Rexy Mainaky believes that Justin could have done better if he had managed to compete in more tournaments before the team meet.

Justin had been hampered by a knee injury earlier this year and only played once in the Thailand International Challenge in March where he reached the second round.

“I’m not giving excuses but physically Justin is not yet where we want him to be,” said Rexy.

“He only played one tournament this year before the Thomas Cup.

“Yet, in his condition, he managed to drag the match to the decider and this is something positive.

“If he had played at least three tournaments, perhaps he will have had more self confidence and would have helped him in the match,” added Rexy.

Rexy also said that Justin was given the nod over world No. 63 Cheam June Wei to play against Gemke due to his style of play.

“In our team, the levels of (Leong) Jun Hao, June Wei and Justin are almost similar,” said Rexy.

“It’s not that we thought June Wei will lose to Gemke but we felt Justin’s playing style was better suited to play against the Dane.”

Meanwhile, Rexy was satisfied with the team’s overall showing in the tie.

In the other singles matches, world No. 10 Lee Zii Jia had lost 16-21, 22-24 to world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen while Jun Hao (No. 37) was beaten 14-21, 10-21 by Anders Antonsen (No. 4).

In the doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik defeated Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen 17-21, 21-17, 21-16 while Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani edged Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard 23-21, 22-20.

“Everyone gave their best and it was a good game overall,” said Rexy.

“All the matches were quite close and this is a positive sign for us ahead of the quarter-finals.”