PETALING JAYA: Doubles shuttler M. Thinaah has been keeping in touch with Pearly Tan through regular messages from the team’s training base in Herning, Denmark.
While disappointed that her partner will miss the Uber Cup Finals, Thinaah assured that the team remain fully focused on the task at hand in the world team meet starting on Thursday.
Pearly withdrew from the tournament due to a recurring back injury and did not travel with the squad to Herning for the centralised training camp.
"It is sad that Pearly is not here with the team. Everyone wanted her to be here, and she herself really wanted to be here," said captain Thinaah in an interview with BAMTV.
"She messaged me to say she is really sorry that she couldn’t be here with the team.
"But this is a team event, and we still have players here with us. They are mostly young players."
Youngster Chong Jie Yu was called up at the last minute to replace Pearly, and Thinaah said the 21-year-old has been adjusting well with the team.
Thinaah added that the team’s training has been going smoothly and hopes to carry the energy with them in Horsens.
Malaysia have been drawn in Group B with six-time winners Japan, Turkiye, and South Africa.
"So far it’s been a good start after the past few days. It’s a positive step so we hope to bring that to the Uber Cup.
"We can see that she (Jie Yu) is excited and motivated to be with the team, and we’re happy to have her.
"But not just Jie Yu, the entire women’s team want to give our best on court without any regrets and enjoy each moment," she said.
The women's side have not cleared the group stage since the 2010 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
