PETALING JAYA: Head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi has insisted there is no cause for concern over Man Wei Chong, saying the men’s doubles shuttler remains fit.
Wei Chong’s condition became a talking point after he was not fielded in Malaysia’s tie against Finland yesterday.
Wei Chong was rested, while the coaches took the opportunity to test another combination ahead of the next match.
Instead, the coaching team paired Tee Kai Wun with Soh Wooi Yik in a scratch partnership against Finland’s Ananda Daniswara-Alvar Melleri.
The break will also give Wei Chong time to be ready for the final Group B tie against Japan tomorrow, which is more important as it will determine the group winners – and will get a chance to avoid seeded team early in the top eight knockout stage.
“He (Wei Chong) is okay, but not yet at his maximum,” said Herry briefly when contacted.
Before arriving in Horsens, Wei Chong had been struggling with a right knee injury that has troubled him since February.
Even so, he showed strong commitment by continuing to play through the discomfort and was fielded in Malaysia’s opening tie against England on Saturday, helping secure a point with Tee Kai Wun after beating Alex Green and Zach Russ.
Should Wei Chong-Kai Wun be selected to play against Japan, they are likely to feature as second doubles against either world No. 24 pair Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi or world No. 30 duo Takumi Nomura-Yuichi Shimogami.
Top pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are set to face Takuro Hoki-Hiroki Midorikawa.
Hoki and previous partner Yugo Kobayashi, have often troubled Aaron-Wooi Yik, having won nine of their 12 previous meetings.
However, Kobayashi was withdrawn at the last minute through injury, and Aaron-Wooi Yik may have a good chance to capitalise against Japan’s scratch pair to deliver a point.
Only the top two teams in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, with the group winners holding an advantage in the quarter-final draw.
