PETALING JAYA: The absence of a head coach is becoming an increasingly pressing issue for Malaysia's mixed doubles squad as the national pairs continue to struggle for results.
The misery continued at the Japan Masters yesterday as national pairs Chen Tang Jie-Chan Wen Tse and Jimmy Wong-Cheng Su Yin were both sent packing in the opening round.
Tang Jie-Wen Tse went down 15-21, 10-21 to Japan's Yuichi Shimogami-Sayaka Hobara in the opening round, a further disappointment after reaching the second round in their previous three tournaments at the Korean Open, Denmark Open and Arctic Open.
Jimmy-Su Yin have fared no better, suffering a 8-21, 21-23 defeat to China's Guo Xinwa-Chen Fanghui.
It was their third consecutive first round exit since the Denmark Open, having also failed to progress beyond the second round at the Arctic Open.
Tang Jie has also struggled to find his rhythm without regular partner Toh Ee Wei, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury to her left knee.
Before being paired with Wen Tse, Tang Jie had partnered Clarissa San, with their best result coming at the Korean Masters in Asan in August, where they reached the quarter-finals.
He was subsequently paired with Cheng Su Yin for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, but the partnership also failed to deliver encouraging results.
Jimmy, meanwhile, was brought back into the national set-up in April to strengthen the mixed doubles squad following his fine performances alongside Lai Pei Jing as an independent pair.
His partnership with Su Yin initially showed promise when they reached the semi-finals of the Japan Open, but their form has since dipped, with early exits becoming an increasingly familiar outcome.
The squad's struggles have also come amid the absence of a head coach following Nova Widianto's departure from the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) in July to return to Indonesia due to family commitments.
BAM were understood to have shortlisted a candidate to replace Nova, with an announcement expected after the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
However, the announcement never materialised, with BAM instead confirming the appointment of Teo Kok Siang as an assistant coach.
The head coach's position remains vacant, with national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky currently overseeing the squad.
