Believe!: Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh (pic, below) must be mentally ready when they face stronger opponents in the Sudirman Cup.
PETALING JAYA: Singles shuttlers Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh must prove they have more than just court craft if they are to make an impact in the Sudirman Cup from April 27-May 4 in Xiamen, China.
They need to adopt stronger mindset.
Justin Hoh
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has urged the duo to be mentally ready, pointing out that the prestigious mixed team event poses a vastly different test compared to individual tournaments.
On paper, Jun Hao and Justin may not match the pedigree of their international rivals, with most nations fielding their top-ranked men’s singles players.
But Jonassen believes that should not be a reason to back down before the battle even begins.
What Jonassen values most is for both players to display a strong fighting spirit, a quality that not only boosts their chances of pulling off an upset but also helps inspire their teammates, especially those who take to the court after them.
Malaysia’s toughest test in Group C will be against three-time runners-up Japan, who are expected to parade world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka or world No. 16 Koki Watanabe in the men’s singles.
“Being in a team match, I think it is very important to adopt a team match mindset, which means that no matter what they’re facing, what they can give back is their fighting spirit,” said Jonassen when met at Academy Badminton Malaysia, Bukit Kiara yesterday.
“They may not be able to deliver the point for their team, but they can see that they are willing to give everything on court. That’s the first thing they need to embrace – the team mindset,” said
“In individual tournaments, it’s all about me. But in a team event, it becomes about something bigger. Facing higher-ranked players means we have to embrace the underdog role.
“We can only do that if we perform at our highest level. Otherwise, we won’t succeed.
“We need to put pressure on the top players. If we let them settle in, I fear they might be too strong.
Malaysia will head into the Sudirman Cup without two of their key men’s singles players. Top professional Lee Zii Jia is still recovering from a foot injury, while Ng Tze Yong, who made his comeback at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, last week after a year-long absence, has yet to regain full fitness.
Despite the absence of both players, Malaysia will enter the tournament as bronze medallists from the previous edition.
With the current line-up, much of the team’s hopes will rest on the shoulders of the doubles players, particularly in the men’s and mixed events, to deliver the crucial points for the nation.
