Malaysia place hopes on back-up doubles duo
Malaysia are counting on national back-up players, Soh Wooi Yik and Ooi Zi Heng, to deliver in the boys' doubles individual event in this year's Asian Junior Badminton Championships in Bangkok.
The pair showed much improvement last year and their form saw them being promoted to the back up squad from the Bukit Jalil Sports School at the end of last year.
Wooi Yik-Zi Heng made the quarter-finals of the last edition of the Asian meet but lost to China's Han Chenghai-Zhou Haodong. This year's Asian Junior meet will be held from July 9-17. The mixed team event will be held from July 9-12 followed by the individual events from July 13-17.
The Malaysian pair drew a first round bye and will face the winner of the Su Li-wei-Ye Hong-wei (Taiwan) vs Duc Phat Le-Dang Quang Huay (Vietnam) in the second round.
"Our target is to make the final this year," said Zi Heng before leaving with the Malaysian team to Bangkok on Thursday.
"It is not going to be easy but we are better prepared this year. We have improved on on our mental and physical strength under coach Cheah Soon Kit since we got promoted to the back-up squad."The promotion has done our game a world of good."
Malaysia have two other pairs - Chen Tang Jie-Hoo Pang Roo and Chang Yee Jun-Ng Eng Cheong - in the boys' doubles.
THE MALAYSIAN TEAM
BOYS
Lee Zii Jia
Leong Jun Hao
Sim Fong Hao
Tan Jia Wei
Soh Wooi Yik
Ooi Zi Zeng
Hoo Pang Ron
Chen Tang Jie
Chang Yee Jun
Ng Eng Cheong
GIRLS
Goh Jin Wei
S. Kisona
M. Thinaah
Eoon Qi Xuan
Toh Ee Wei
Yap Ling
Pearly Tan Koong Le
Mixed Doubles
Ng Eng Cheong-Toh Ee Wei
Hoo Pang Ron-M. Thinaah
Chen Tang Jie-Pearly Tan Koong Le
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