BUKIT JALIL: Following their poor form in the ongoing Malaysia Masters, men’s singles Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin and Soong Joo Ven could be dropped from the national men’s squad for the Asia Team Championships in Alor Star on Feb 6-11.
It is understood that the coaching staff under Misbun Sidek can still make changes to the men and women’s squads if necessary.
Iskandar and Joo Ven may lose their spots to reigning Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao and independent player Liew Daren.
While Iskandar and Joo Ven are struggling to find their form, Jun Hao grabbed attention last week by reaching the Thailand Masters final in Bangkok, while Daren has improved tremendously since quitting the national team in 2016.
Daren will face Denmark’s world champion Victor Axelsen in a late Malaysia Masters semi-final match on Saturday.
BA of Malaysia (BAM) honorary secretary Datuk Ng Chin Chai revealed that changes can still be made as the idea is to field the strongest men’s squad for the
Asian Team Championships, which serves as a qualifier for the Thomas Cup Finals in Bangkok in May.
The semi-finallists in the tournament will qualify for the Thomas Cup.
“Misbun and his coaches have been given the mandate to make changes if necessary. BAM will support them. Changes in the men and women’s squads can be made right up to the tournament’s team managers’ meeting.
“I have discussed with the coaches, but they will make the final decision. It is their call on whether to retain the current squad or make changes,” said Chin Chai, who is also the team manager for the Thomas Cup.
Only Lee Chong Wei and Lee Zii Jia have so far secured their positions for the Asian Team Championship.
Translated from Berita Harian