Despite looking strong in numbers, it will be anything but easy for Malaysia in men’s doubles in badminton’s World Championships in Basel next week.
Malaysia have a maximum representation of four pairs but for national coach Paulus Firman, this doesn’t mean his players’ chances have increased.
He believes the current standard of play is so competitive that it could be anyone’s game, regardless of their rankings.
Malaysia will be represented by World No 10 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (No 14), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No 20) and Arif Latif-Nur Azriyn Ayub (No 37).
“Yes, Malaysia will have four pairs at the world meet but that does not make things easier for us,” said Paulus.
“If you look at the draw, Aaron-Wooi Yik are already through to the second round after receiving a first-round bye, but they are expected to face World No 21 Takuto Inoue-Yuki Kaneko of Japan.
“And for Yew Sin-Ee Yi, awaiting them in the second round are V Shem-Wee Kiong.
“It’s already tough for everybody in the second round because that’s how competitive men’s doubles is at the moment. It’s not about the draw.”
Paulus, however, feels the dominance of several top pairs from Indonesia, Japan and China can be broken if Malaysian shuttlers can find consistency in their finishing.
“Unlike in the women’s doubles, the dominance of these countries in the men’s event can still be broken.
“If you look at our results against these top pairs, it’s always down to the wire... we just need that finishing touch.
“My advise to the players is to be brave.
“Players will get too cautious and tight in their movements when matches are close but they need to be brave... if you don’t try, you will never know.
“Once they achieve that breakthrough, then I dare say they are already on par with the world’s best. It’s about the consistency in finishing that matters in the end,” Paulus added.
Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were the last Malaysian men’s pair to win a medal at the world meet when they settled for silver at the 2010 Paris edition.