Down but not out: Can Leong Jun Hao rise up to live up to his national No. 1 tag at the Thailand SEA Games? — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star
PETALING JAYA: Forget the Thomas Cup as the reality is harsher. Even a SEA Games medal is looking increasingly uncertain for the men’s singles players in Thailand next month.
At least, that is the opinion of former world No. 1 men’s singles shuttler Roslin Hashim.
Roslin believes it is highly unlikely that the national men’s singles squad, led by Leong Jun Hao, will be able to deliver a medal based on their current form together with several other Malaysian singles players.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), through the Tangkis 2030 blueprint presented by their president Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, has set a target of winning the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens next year.
For the SEA Games, BAM have also listed what they consider their strongest squad, with Jun Hao and Justin Hoh named for both the men’s team and individual events, supported by Eogene Ewe and another professional shuttler, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, for the team event.
Unfortunately, all of them are currently struggling with form, especially Jun Hao who holds the position of Malaysia’s No. 1 men’s singles player.
According to Roslin, the chances for Jun Hao and Justin to fight for medals are becoming slimmer.
“I do not see our men’s singles players at next month’s SEA Games as contenders. Not even as underdogs or dark horses, and the reality is that our men’s singles players will most likely only be completing their matches,” said Roslin.
“We have given Jun Hao space and opportunities, but there has been no significant improvement.
“What is more unfortunate is that the other players have also not stepped up to support him. We are really feeling the absence of Ng Tze Yong and Lee Zii Jia.
“If they were available, at the very least we would feel a bit more confident before the players walk onto the court.
“But with the list of players we have now, it is not an exaggeration to say that defeat is almost certain and a win would be a miracle because other countries are fielding players with far stronger reputations,” said Roslin.
Hosts Thailand have already named their top stars, including 2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn and 2019 world bronze medallist Kantaphon Wangcharoen for the singles event.
Singapore have also strengthened their line-up by including 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew and Jason Teh, who recently won the Korean Masters last week.
Indonesia, although fielding a younger squad, still come with strong credentials through the likes of 2023 world junior champion Alwi Farhan and four-time world junior medallist Moh Zaki Ubaidillah.
The situation in the national camp is a stark contrast as Jun Hao has yet to win a title this year and has been losing in the first round in five consecutive tournaments.
Justin, despite reaching the podium at the Macau Open in July, is still struggling with consistency.
