PETALING JAYA: Imagine Tan Bin Shen (right) face off against Herry Iman Perngadi (left) in their first international stint as coaches with Hong Kong and Malaysia respectively.
That intriguing battle is set to take place in the Asia Mixed Team Championships from Feb 11-16 in Qingdao, China.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group B, widely regarded as the “Group of Death”, alongside Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Kazakhstan in the event which also acts as the qualifier for the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 4 in Xiamen, China.
The draw will see men’s doubles coaches Bin Shen and Herry taking on their first assignment in their new stints in the Hong Kong and Malaysian national teams respectively.
Bin Shen left his position in the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) after the Malaysian Open last week while Herry parted ways with the Indonesian national team (PBSI) at the end of last year.
It will be interesting to see Bin Shen and Herry face their former players in Malaysia and Indonesia respectively.
The change in coaches is set to add spice to Malaysia’s clashes against Hong Kong and Indonesia.
Hong Kong’s coaching director and former BAM singles head Wong Choong Hann will also be looking to spoil the party for Malaysia.
Indonesia pose a greater threat to Malaysia in the men’s doubles as they boast the likes of world No. 4 Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto and world No. 11 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza in their ranks.
Hong Kong don’t carry the same danger in the event as their highest ranked men’s doubles pair are world No. 117 Law Cheuk Him-Yeung Shing Choi.
Bin Shen though could choose to field scratch pairings as Hong Kong have done in past team events with experienced mixed doubles players Tang Chun Man and Reginald Lee.
Meanwhile, Malaysia have strong depth in the men’s doubles with the likes of world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, world No. 5 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 14).
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky has yet to finalise the team for the tournament as he is opting to wait and see whether the other countries will field their strongest players.
