GOLD COAST: BA of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria has urged the national shuttlers to rise in the individual events following the disheartening 3-1 defeat to India in the mixed team final at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Arena on Monday.
In the opening match, Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying lead 11-7 in the third game but crashed after that in the 21-14, 15-21, 21-15 defeat to India's R. Satwik-P. Ashwini in the mixed doubles before Lee Chong Wei suffered a 21-17, 21-14 lost to World No 2 K. Srikanth.
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong reduced the deficit with an expected 21-15, 22-20 victory over Satwik-S. Chirag Chandrashekhar but Saina Nehwal defeated a spirited Soniia Cheah 21-11, 19-21, 21-9 to hand India their first title mixed team gold medal.
The defeat is a bitter pill to swallow as Tan Kim Her, former national coach and now the chief trainer for India’s badminton team, had a hand in Malaysia’s defeat. He has been coaching India since 2016.
"I am disappointed as it we had won the gold in the last three editions. I believe the overreliance on senior players is one of the reasons we did not achieve our mission," said Norza.
"This was proven when we could not sustain against a team like India today. We failed in the mixed doubles and men's singles but I am happy with the way Soniia played.
"Soniia was advised to rest due to an ankle injury. In fact, we wanted to play a mixed doubles player in the women's singles today but Sonia wanted to play.
"She played well today but it was always going to be a momentous task for her. I think we should have done better in the mixed doubles as their opponents are not even in the top ten,” said Norza.
Norza, however, is still confident that Malaysia can achieve their three-gold medal target in the individual events, which starts on Tuesday.
"We have the potential of winning the men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles. And I believe we can do it if they play to their abilities,” he said.
Sonia said: "I feel sorry for the team as I could not deliver the important point. I did my best but Saina, being an experienced player, knew how to handle pressure.
"I took a risk by playing today but I did not want to disappoint the team," said Sonia.
As for Liu Ying, she explained that she and Peng Soon could not settle fast enough when Satwik-Ashwini changed their service game.
"We performed well in the opening 11 points in the third game. I think we panic and could not settle down," said Liu Ying.