PETALING JAYA: A humbling experience can often spark personal growth.
That is what the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s (BAM) performance committee director Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is hoping for after singles shuttlers Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin suffered shock defeats to lower-ranked opponents in their Group B opening tie against England.
Justin and Aidil succumbed to the pressure, losing to Harry Huang and Cholan Kayan, but Malaysia still edged England 3-2 thanks to points from Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Lee Zii Jia in the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark on Saturday.
“We will never know what they are capable of unless we push them into unexpected situations,” said Chong Wei.
Malaysia rested Leong Jun Hao, 26, and fielded the 22-year-old Justin and Aidil, 26, in the singles.
“It was a test for Justin and Aidil as they have never played in these positions before. They lost, but this experience will take them far,” said Chong Wei.
“Of course, we were hoping for Justin to win, but he was stiff and you could see it was not his best.
“Still, it’s good that he got a taste of it. I know how it feels to play as the first singles – there is pressure.
“Hopefully, this experience will help Justin in the future, to play with confidence and without fear.”
Chong Wei said it was also a testing moment for Wei Chong-Kai Wun too.
“Usually, you are not tested against a lower-ranked team in the group stage, but this time Wei Chong-Kai Wun had to deliver to prevent a shock upset against England in the second doubles,” he said.
“They handled the pressure well to save the tie and then Zii Jia showed his experience by winning.
“Importantly, we won and our players learned from this experience. We will only get better from here,” added Chong Wei.
Malaysia face Finland today and will complete their group fixtures against Japan on Wednesday and Chong Wei is hoping for the players to raise the bar.
