Rexy all smiles and gives credit to singles shuttlers after reaching semis

Jump for joy: The Malaysian shuttlers rushing to hug Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani who delivered the winning point. Left: A beaming Rexy Mainaky.

CHENGDU: National coaching director Rexy Mainaky is so proud of the Malaysian team.

Yesterday, they knocked out Japan 3-1 in the quarter-finals of the Thomas Cup Finals at the Hi-Tech Sports Centre in Chengdu, China.

And he praised Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao for winning their respective singles matches, which made the difference for the team.

“The players performed really well today (yesterday),” said Rexy.

“Zii Jia was very calm and did not make much mistakes.

“I have to give credit to both Zii Jia and Jun Hao. Jun Hao was perhaps influenced by Zii Jia and raised his game.”

In the doubles, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik dropped a point but that was made up by Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who delivered the winning point that gave them a place in the semis.

“Sze Fei-Izzuddin did not start well and were a bit passive in the first game but improved in the next two games,” said Rexy.

“It’s a good improvement for the team overall after we lost to India in the quarter-finals of the last edition.”