PETALING JAYA: Malaysia are not given much of a chance in the Commonwealth Games men’s squash individual event but head coach Ajaz Azmat believes Ng Eain Yow (pic) is capable of causing a surprise in Birmingham.
The Games often attracts a world-class field but with Egypt not part of the multi-sport extravaganza it has opened the door for players like Eain Yow to battle for medals.
The draw has also been kind to Eain Yow.
The fifth seed is likely to avoid favourite Paul Coll of New Zealand and second seed Joel Makin of Wales in the quarter-final stage.
An added boost is defending champion James Wilstrop of England, who at 38 is at the twilight of his career, will not take on Eain Yow in the last eight too as he is seeded seventh.
Another dangerman Adrian Waller, seeded sixth, will also not disrupt Eain Yow’s plans in the quarters.
Eain Yow needs to be prepared for a likely showdown against India’s third seed Saurav Ghosal or England’s fourth seed Patrick Rooney.
And Ajaz feels Eain Yow can make a strong statement if he can raise his game.
“Coll and Makin are quite strong but Yow will avoid them based on the seedings. Yow has a chance (to make the semis) but he must play well,” said Ajaz.
“Saurav and Rooney are good but in the Games, anything can happen and Yow must have belief in himself and try make the breakthrough.”
Eain Yow, ranked world No. 22, can take some inspiration from Nafiizwan Adnan, the ranked outsider who went all the way to snatch a surprise bronze in Gold Coast, Australia, four years ago.
The others competing in Birmingham are 12th seed Ivan Yuen and 15th seed Syafiq Kamal, who is coached by Nafiizwan.
The duo however, are not expected to make much headway in the individual event.
The squash competition will be held at the University of Birmingham’s Hockey and Squash Centre from July 29-Aug 8.
