KUALA LUMPUR: A realistic national coach, Beh Lee Wei, has not set any target for Malaysia at the 27th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, from Oct 6-13 due to the high standards.
She admitted that it's beyond Malaysia to finish on the podium.
She said China, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong are the leading contenders.
"Although we do not have any target, I want the national men and women's players to put up a fight and gain experience from the championships.
"We need high-level competitions to prepare for next year's Sea Games (in Bangkok)," said Lee Wei who has been the national coach since 2016.
The Malaysian men's team consist of national champion Wong Qi Shen, Choong Javen, Tey Hong Yu, Brandon Fong and Danny Ng.
The women's team comprise national champion Tee Ai Xin, Ho Ying, Karen Lyne, Alice Chang and Im Li Ying.
At last year's Asian Championships in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the Malaysian men's team finished 11th while the women finished 15th. China won all seven golds.