Badminton News: Goh Jin Wei is set to take to the court today when Malaysia take on India after being rested against Australia in the opening game of the 2023 Sudirman Cup.
With the exception of 23-year-old Goh Jin Wei, Malaysia fielded all their best badminton players and beat Australia 5-0 in their Group C opener at the Olympic Sports Center in Suzhou, China , yesterday.
Instead of Goh Jin Wei, Malaysia fielded K. Letshanaa and was the first to beat Tiffany Ho 21-19, 21-12 to award the winning points.
Earlier, mixed doubles pair Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie started the match with a 21-17, 21-14 win over Choo Zhe Hooi-Gronya Somerville and Lee Zii Jia struggled to win 21-3, 21-13 against Ricky Tan.
Two more points came from Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M. Thinah.
Malaysia will face India today and Taiwan on Wednesday. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
National singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann said Jin Wei was rested to prepare him for a tougher match against PV Sindhu.
“Jin Wei’s condition is fine and we look forward to seeing him in action next. We wish him the best,” Choong Hann said.
Double junior world champion Jin Wei has played against Sindhu four times but has never won, but their final meeting at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (team and individual) is imminent. He lost all three matches in the quarter-finals of the individual competition and it was the only time Jin Wei took a game against the Indian superstar.
World number 8 Zii Jia is also preparing for a tougher game ahead.
“This game (against Australia) is just a warm-up. It will be more difficult against India and Taiwan. I just want to gain my confidence here,” he said.
As for doubles, national doubles coaching director Rexy Mainaky is pleased with Pearly’s triumphant return.
Pearly-Thinaah, who had to withdraw from the Asian Championships in Dubai last month due to illness, won her match against Kaitlyn Ea-Gronya Somerville 21-12, 21-13 to show that the two Malaysian players are back on track. .
“Pearly and Thinaah’s movements on the court were okay,” Rexy said, but he remained cautious.
“Taiwan beat India (4-1) but I don’t see India as a weaker team. Both have a solid line-up.
Article Tags: Goh Jin Wei, PV Sindhu, Sudirman Cup 2023
