PETALING JAYA: Can Malaysia end their 12-year medal drought in the men’s team event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which runs from Sept 19-Oct 4?
Aaron Chia knows the country may not have the strongest squad on paper, but the experienced men’s doubles shuttler believes the team event could still throw up a few surprises.
Malaysia will head into the competition with a mix of experienced campaigners and several younger players, while Aaron himself will have a new partner in Tee Kai Wun.
The pair could be fielded as the second doubles combination behind Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani when the men’s team competition begins on Sunday.
“I think on paper, our team may not look as strong as some of the other countries. They have more balanced teams,” said Aaron.
But Aaron believes Malaysia’s younger players could have a part to play, especially in a team competition where results are not always easy to predict.
“We have two or three young players in the singles. But in a team event, sometimes it is difficult to predict because the younger players might be able to upset some of the stronger players from other countries,” he said.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have named Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh, Eogene Ewe and Kong Wei Xiang as the four men’s singles players for the Games.
Mixed doubles players Chen Tang Jie and Goh Soon Huat are also in the squad and could be used in scratch combinations if needed.
Malaysia last won a medal in the men’s team event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where they took bronze.
