BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann is pleased with the attitude shown by the national shuttlers at the recent Toyota Thailand Open.
Apart from men’s singles Lee Zii Jia, who had a disastrous outing, Choong Hann believes the rest either played to their level or outdid themselves to score several upsets.
Choong Hann, who had to stay back in Kuala Lumpur, after testing positive for Covid-19, told Timesport that there was still plenty to improve, but he would take the positives and build on them.
“If we are to compare the Toyota Thailand Open to the Yonex Thailand Open, I think our players did better.
“They played well and was able to utilise the skills and knowledge from their training sessions. That is what I want to see.
“Of course, Zii Jia had a disastrous outing, and I am not particularly pleased with mixed pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, who I know can play better at their best.
“Nonetheless, there were positives that I would like to pay attention to.
“Our women’s doubles did really well.
“Although they are not up there among the top tier pairs, they can hold their game and know what they lack.
“Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See (mixed doubles) also did very well in the second Thailand Open, and I would like to see them continuously improve.
“We don’t just want consistency. We want consistent improvement,” said Choong Hann.
The former World No 1 also pointed out that a more in-depth post mortem would be conducted once everyone returns from Bangkok.
“Yes, the players will feel the brunt of the frustration and criticism from the fans.
“However, as coaches, it is our responsibility to find what is wrong and help the player overcome it.
“All these will be ironed out once everybody is back,” added Choong Hann, who urged those who qualified for the World Tour Finals to play without pressure.
“There is nothing to lose. We are not expecting miracles.
“Go out there and play your best, just as hard as you have trained,” he concluded.
Source: New Straits Times
Photo: bharian.com.my
