BANGKOK: Former national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky is not surprised with the Malaysian lineup for the Thomas Cup that gets underway here on Sunday.
In fact, the Thailand head coach defended BAM’s decision to field a younger squad for this year's challenge.
Apart from 2016 Rio Olympic Games silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, the others named in the team are youngsters Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and scratch players Teo Ee Yi and Mohd Arif Latif.
On whether Malaysia could have gone for a better selection, the Indonesian said: "I believe the coaches have done their homework. This could be a decent team for Malaysia.
"If you remember, the Indonesian team were the same back in 2014 (New Delhi). We sent a young team, but they were an investment for the future.
"Two years after India, and they were in the final. Perhaps Malaysia is looking at something like that,” said Rexy, whose contract with the Thailand BA, ends this year.
Rexy added that history has a lot to do with a team's performance in the Thomas Cup, so Malaysia should not worry too much.
"Based on history, there are only a few countries that have really dominated the Thomas Cup. They are China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Of course in the last two editions, we were surprised by Japan and Denmark.
"I don't think Malaysia should worry too much. This young team could be what they need. I say this because in terms of handling the pressure, they will be well balanced," explained Rexy.
When asked about the exclusion of his former trainee and Asian Games gold medallist, Tan Boon Heong, Rexy said: "I'm sure the coaches know what they are doing. Apart from that, I also know that Boon Heong was reluctant to join BAM, so that makes things difficult.
"As a coach myself, I would want to see a player, to know his or her condition exactly. In this case, no one knows of Boon Heong's condition. He may be skilful, but his fitness?
"At a tournament like the Thomas Cup, it's not always about skills. There is more to a team."
Malaysia, who are in Group D, alongside defending champions Denmark and Algeria, open their campaign on Monday against Russia.