KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia are set to field their strongest women's squad for the opening tie against Myanmar on Tuesday for the badminton team event at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games (KL2017).
The national team are hoping the move will prepare their their top shuttlers for the semi-finals where they are slated to take on arch-rivals Indonesia on Wednesday.
Indonesia, are already through to the last four stage after receiving a bye.
National women's singles head coach Tey Seu Bock does not want to risk experimenting against a weaker team; instead he wants to win big.
"On paper it looks easy, and everyone would want to see the younger players take to court, but we must be ready for our next match, and I am not willing to take that risk," said Seu Bock.
"We have decided to play our strongest squad, because we are almost certain of taking on Indonesia next. I want the players to be ready.
"The stadium is new (Axiata Arena), and after testing it, we realise the drift is really strong. We need our players to adapt fast."
Based on ranking, Soniia Cheah Su Ya will be the first singles followed by 2015 world junior champion Goh Jin Wei and Lee Ying Ying.
For doubles, newly-crowned New Zealand Open champions Vivian Hoo Kah Mun-Woon Khe Wei will take to court first followed by Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean.
On Malaysia's chances of reaching the final, Seu Bock added: "I think let's first clear one tie at a time. Against Indonesia, I think we have a 50-50 chance of upsetting them."
At the previous edition in Singapore two years ago, Malaysia settled for silver after losing 3-0 to Thailand in the final.
Meanwhile, in the men's team event, Malaysia play Laos in the opening tie on Tuesday.