KUALA LUMPUR: The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have signalled that they will field their strongest possible line-up for the Asian Team Championships in Qingdao next month.
However, BAM secretary-general Datuk Kenny Goh said the squad may not include professional players Lee Zii Jia and men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
He also indicated that there could be minor adjustments to the men’s doubles line-up.
“Overall, if we want a good result, we have to be prepared to face whoever we are drawn against.
“I have yet to receive the final list of players. For the women’s team, we do not have a choice and will field our strongest squad. For the men’s team, especially in the singles, I believe we will also send our best players, but further discussions will be held involving the doubles players,” said Kenny.
The men’s team have been drawn in Group D alongside main rivals and three-time champions Indonesia, as well as Myanmar.
In the women’s event, it is a mixed draw for Malaysia. While they are assured of a place in the quarter-finals with only two teams in Group W, they will have to contend with tournament heavyweights China in the group.
“As for the draw, I am satisfied because in the women’s event, we have been drawn with China. However, since there are only two teams in the group, we are assured of a place in the quarter-finals.
“And once we reach the quarter-finals, we will not meet China again.
“For the men’s team, our aim is to try to avoid Indonesia because we will not be seeded.
“Like it or not, we are likely to face a seeded team, and Indonesia are one of them.
“It is not that there is no hope, but we will try to finish as group winners to improve our path in the quarter-finals,” added Kenny.
The men’s team emerged champions at the 2022 edition in Setia Alam, while the women’s team claimed the bronze medal.
However, two years later at the same venue, the men had to settle for silver after losing to China, while the women finished empty-handed after exiting in the quarter-finals.
