ALOR SETAR, Feb 9 — The national women’s squad failed to qualify for the Uber Cup competition in Bangkok this year on merit, however they still managed to book a place based on world ranking.
Malaysia, ranked 9th in the world, would have qualified on merit if they had made it to the Asian Team Championship semi-final, but lost 0-3 to South Korea in the quarter-final at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium here, today.
National women’s head coach Datuk Tey Seu Bock who confirmed the matter said he was disappointed that the women’s squad failed to qualify on merit as targeted by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).
In fact, he was also disappointed with the level of performance shown by the women’s squad against South Korea, saying it was not the standard he was looking for.
“Indeed, we have qualified based on ranking but I do not expect our singles players not to play up to their potential,” he said when met by the media after the match here, today.
He added that although he now had eight singles players, none of them were confirmed starters, and they all had the opportunity to book a place in the squad for Bangkok this May.
Tey said players needed to show positive results, besides having discipline and high commitment to ensure they were fit to be in the national squad.
“Some players also need to show team spirit as this is a team tournament, and I hope things get better by May,” he said.
In the women’s quarter-final match against South Korea, Soniia Cheah failed to win the first point for the country after going down easily to Sung Ji Hyun 13-21, 15-21.
Goh Jin Wei then fell to Lee Jang Mi 21-17, 11-21, 13-21, before Vivian Hoo-Tee Jing Yi lost to Lee So Hee-Shin Heung Chan 10-21, 15-21. — Bernama
