PETALING JAYA: The national women’s team cannot afford to throw in the towel too early despite facing 16-time champions China in the quarter-finals of the Uber Cup in Horsens today.
China have looked formidable, winning all their Group A ties 5-0 against India, Ukraine and hosts Denmark.
While victory may be a tall order, Malaysia could still look to dent China’s perfect record by trying to snatch a point, although it will be a difficult task.
At the Asian Team Championships in Qingdao in February, the national women’s team managed to do just that through young doubles pair Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan.
They beat Luo Yi-Wang Tingge to earn a consolation point in a 1-4 defeat.
However, the situation is different today, as in the quarter-finals, once a team take a 3-0 lead, the tie is decided without the remaining matches being played.
Zi Yu-Noraqilah are likely to be fielded as Malaysia’s second doubles.
This puts the responsibility on K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching and women’s doubles pair M. Thinaah-Ong Xing Yee, if fielded, to prevent China from running away with the tie.
The good news is that women’s singles player Goh Jin Wei is recovering well after suffering abdominal cramps during her group match against Japan’s Riko Gunji.
Jin Wei had taken the first game 21-19 and was trailing 3-4 when she was forced to retire.
Her coach Nova Armada said the issue was not serious.
“She is feeling better now. It was just a cramp and it happens sometimes.
“She should be okay as that match (against Japan) would not have made a difference, with the quarter-finals being more important,” said Nova.
Group B winners Japan will take on Thailand in a repeat of the 2018 final in Bangkok.
