KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shuttlers fired blanks again at home due to inability to stay consistent, lack of intelligence and poor form.
These are reasons highlighted by national coaching director Rexy Mainaky as he summed up Malaysia’s outing as disappointing after none went beyond the semi-finals at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
There has not been a finalist in the tournament since Datuk Lee Chong Wei won in 2018.
“We are still struggling to reach the final and win the title. We have to evaluate what went wrong,” said Rexy.
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (men’s doubles), Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie (mixed doubles) all started off well in their respective matches in front of the passionate home fans but could not maintain their form and went down in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Rexy Mainaky said Wei Chong-Kai Wun and Tang Jie-Ee Wei needed to learn from their shortcomings and improve.
“Tang Jie-Ee Wei were leading but the opponents could catch up easily. I want to see them eager to get to 11 points first,” said Rexy.
“If they reach to 11 points first, psychologically it would have given our players a boost but instead it was their opponents, who came from behind and overtook them and this gave them confidence.
Rexy believed that Wei Chong-Kai Wun did not capitalise on their strengths.
“What surprised me was that Wei Chong-Kai Wun’s strengths are playing at the mid and front court but they did not capitalise on this,” said Rexy.
“Instead, they entered their opponents’ game and tried to match their power. They kept smashing but the Chinese pair could defend their shots.
“It gave China a boost as they were not afraid of Man-Tee’s attacks. They need to play more intelligently.”
Rexy was also unhappy with world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah’s performance. He admitted world No. 29 men singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao still had some way to go to match the top players consistently.
Aaron-Wooi Yik fell in the second round while Jun Hao and Pearly-Thinaah went down in the first round.
“Pearly-Thinaah and Aaron-Wooi Yik performed below our expectations. The former were not fresh enough physically while Aaron-Wooi Yik lacked fire,” said Rexy.
“Jun Hao badly wanted to prove himself in front of new singles head coach Kenneth (Jonassen) and tried hard but this became an extra pressure.
“He has not reached the level where we want him to be yet.
“We need to sit down with all the players and make them realise these and we want their feedback as well.”
