NATIONAL squash player Ng Eain Yow wants Malaysia to draw inspiration from their “against-all-odds” 2018 Asian Games triumph when they compete in the Men’s World Team Championships, which gets underway in Washington today.
However, Eain Yow, who has steadily moved up to a career-high World No 31 ranking since leaving the junior ranks two years ago, admits it won’t be easy for 10th-seeded Malaysia to meet their target of a top-eight finish.
This is because Malaysia have been handed a tricky draw, with third seeds France, hosts United States and South Korea for company in Group C.
But that doesn’t mean the 21-year-old Bristol-based player has given up hope as he feels that they have the quality to pull off an upset over France.
All they need to do, according to him, is remember how they upset the form book to win the men’s team gold at the Asiad last year.
“I think we’ve had good preparation and have settled down nicely in Washington,” said Eain Yow.
“It’s definitely going to be very tough against France as they have a really strong team, justifying their No 3 seeding.
“But I also believe that if we play true to our potential, like how we did at the Asiad last year, we can cause an upset.
“Of course the match-up against the US is also going to be really tricky as it could well decide whether we’ll progress to the next round.”
The other members of the men’s team in Washington are three-time national champion Ivan Yuen, Syafiq Kamal and Addeen Idrakie.
Malaysia will start their campaign against South Korea today, followed by France tomorrow and the 13th-seeded Americans on Tuesday.
In the 2017 edition in France, Malaysia finished 12th, with Eain Yow as the No 2 behind the now retired Nafiizwan Adnan.