PETALING JAYA: National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen is not losing sleep over doubts surrounding Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Jonassen has backed Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh, who will carry Malaysia’s hopes in both the team and individual events, to put up a strong fight and possibly spring a surprise or two.
The Dane believes both players have prepared well over the past four weeks and are ready to test themselves against the best in Nagoya.
He also hopes Jun Hao and Justin can make use of the experience gained from last month’s World Championships in New Delhi when they take on another major assignment.
"Obviously, like everybody else, I’m quite excited to see the draw. Before that, I think it would be pointless for me to talk about what our potential results can be," said Jonassen.
"But from my end, the hope is that whoever we face in Nagoya, we have the ability to fight until the end, put up a good performance and maybe pull an upset or two.
"When you go into a major championship like this, just as it was at the World Championships, that is where you measure yourself against the highest level.
"Hopefully, they gained some experience from the World Championships and are able to use it better this time around," said Jonassen.
The national singles camp has faced criticism, particularly from former national men’s singles head coach Datuk Misbun Sidek, who feels it will be difficult for either Jun Hao or Justin to challenge for a medal based on their recent form.
Malaysia have also gone 12 years without a medal in the men’s singles at the Asian Games, with Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei the last to make the podium when he won bronze at the 2014 Incheon Games.
The wait for a gold has been much longer, stretching back 56 years to the late Datuk Punch Gunalan’s triumph at the 1970 Bangkok Games.
Jonassen, however, believes Jun Hao and Justin have made improvements in several areas following the post-mortem of last month’s World Championships and now wants them to show it on court.
"It is definitely a little bit about speed and having that killing instinct on court.
"It is also about being able to adjust and change the game plan when needed. Even if we study an opponent beforehand, you have to expect them to change something during the match and you need to stay one step ahead.
"Those are the things I hope the players are able to show.
"But as I said, I’m really looking forward to seeing the draw, both for the individual and team events," he added.
