Optimistic: Malaysia will look to Leong Jun Hao to win his singles matches in Qingdao, China.
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Leong Jun Hao has a huge responsibility on his shoulders in the Asia Mixed Team Championships, starting from Feb 11 in Qingdao, China.
World No. 28 Jun Hao will be Malaysia’s best bet for a point in the men’s singles in the absence of world No. 7 Lee Zii Jia, who is recovering from an ankle injury and was not selected in the team this time.
World No. 53 Justin Hoh will support Jun Hao but the latter is more likely to be fielded due to his greater experience.
The 25-year-old has not had a good start to the year after suffering early round defeats in the back-to-back Malaysian Open, Indian Open and Indonesian Masters last month but has proved that he is dependable when it comes to team competitions.
Jun Hao stepped up well in the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu last year in the absence of the injured Ng Tze Yong.
The 2017 Asian Junior Champion upstaged the likes of Japan’s world No. 11 Koki Watanabe and Hong Kong’s world No. 20 Angus Ng Ka Long to help Malaysia win a bronze.
Jun Hao also had to step in as Malaysia’s No. 1 men’s singles player in the Asia Team Championships final in Shah Alam last year after Zii Jia and Tze Yong both were not fit to start.
Despite losing to China’s Weng Hongyang in Malaysia’s 0-3 defeat, Jun Hao gained valuable experience and showed that he could take on the responsibility of leading the country again.
In the Asia mixed team meet which also acts as the qualifier for the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 4 in Xiamen, China, Malaysia have been drawn against Indonesia and Hong Kong in a tough Group B.
Only the top two teams will progress to the last eight.
Hong Kong have selected their top men’s singles players Angus and world No. 21 Lee Cheuk Yiu along with world No. 42 Jason Gunawan.
Indonesia have chosen not to call up world No. 3 Jonatan Christie and world No. 14 Anthony Ginting but still pose a tricky challenge through Alwi Farhan (No. 43) and Yohanes Saut Marcellyno (No. 64).
