PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are ready for battle after their eight-day training camp in Herning when they begin their Thomas Cup campaign in Horsens today.
Throughout the camp in Herning, the national squad went through a range of programmes aimed at strengthening team chemistry while also sharpening their mental readiness with the help of sports psychologist Lim Jin Xuan.
On the final day of the camp, the national squad staged simulation matches at the Herning Badminton Club, with local residents invited to watch the action.
Around 100 spectators turned up, helping to create an atmosphere similar to actual tournament conditions.
Malaysia’s two main men’s doubles pairs, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, were kept intact as they took on scratch combinations formed from the sparring players brought along to Denmark.
“Aaron-Wooi Yik stayed together, Kai Wun partnered Hon Jian, while Roy King paired with Aaron Tai to face Sze Fei-Izzuddin.
“For the Thomas Cup squad, we kept our original pairs against scratch combinations from the sparring players to make the matches more competitive.
“Although they train together regularly, we wanted to see how they would respond against new pairings with different styles of play. That was important for us,” said national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen also expressed satisfaction with the progress made during the camp.
Jonassen, who also handled logistics for the Herning stint, said the four men’s singles players – Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Lee Zii Jia – had responded well and contributed positively to the preparations.
After leaving Herning on Wednesday, the team travelled straight to Horsens and were able to get their first feel of the competition venue at Forum Horsens, where most of the Malaysian players have never competed before.
“Simulation matches went well and the camp week progressed as hoped.
“We have now reached the championship venue and had our first practice here as well,” said Jonassen.
Malaysia are on a mission to end their 34-year Thomas Cup title drought and will open their Group B campaign against England tomorrow.
