PETALING JAYA: Malaysia could turn to scratch pairings involving their mixed doubles players when the team events begin at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sunday.
National doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky said several combinations are being considered as the coaching team have yet to finalise their line-ups for the opening round.
The four mixed doubles players in the squad are husband-and-wife pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jamie, as well as Chen Tang Jie and Cheng Su Yin.
The options have widened with women’s doubles player Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan yet to fully recover from a left ankle injury.
Her availability alongside Low Zi Yu remains uncertain, which could force the coaches to form a new combination for Malaysia’s second women’s doubles pair.
Should Noraqilah fail to recover in time, Zi Yu could partner either Su Yin or Shevon, while a Su Yin-Shevon combination is also being considered.
Rexy said the coaching team will have a clearer idea of their options after the team-event draw on Saturday (Sept 19), a day before competition begins.
Only the top four teams are seeded for the team events, leaving Malaysia unseeded with the men ranked sixth and the women seventh.
The women are also making their return to the Asian Games team event after a 12-year absence, having last competed at Incheon 2014.
“We still don’t know the draw. Once we get there, we will have a clearer picture and sit down to discuss the best strategy with team manager Datuk Ng Chin Chai, singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen, the coaches and players.
“We have to be prepared for every possibility because the team event requires careful planning,” said Rexy.
Rexy also believes Malaysia will have to raise their level considerably if they are to reach the semi-finals and secure at least a bronze medal.
“We have to be realistic. In the team event, we not only have to work hard, but work twice as hard. The minimum target is to reach the semi-finals.
“You look at a team like Hong Kong, who have at least three strong men’s singles players. That should motivate us to make sure our team are at their best,” he added.
