SHAH ALAM – National top women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, are hoping for their coaches to introduce new game plans to help them reach peak performance.
The pair’s response came following their shocking quarter-final defeat to the world number 30 Indonesian pair, Lanny Tria Mayasari-Ribka Sugiarto, in the ongoing Badminton Asia Team Championships.
The world number 14 Malaysians fell 14-21, 21-18, 15-21 in the match, which lasted 59 minutes at the Setia City Convention Centre here today.
“After this tournament, we will go back and discuss with our coach what new game plans we can work on as we can’t rely on only a few.
“We need more, and sometimes the game plans implemented on us don’t necessarily suit our style,” said Pearly after the match.
Thinaah could be seen fuming at her partner’s performance on the court.
She went on to say that the pair did not have any variety in their play, and they were easily taken down by their opponents.
“The opponents have read our game very well, and we didn’t have any different gameplay to make a comeback, and that was the reason behind our defeat today.
“It’s not like we can’t fight back, but our opponents’ shots were more consistent than ours, and they were more aggressive than us, and we consistently kept making mistakes.
“I’m quite disappointed in myself,” said the national women’s team captain.
K. Letshanaa, who was the first to step on the court in an earlier women’s singles match, found herself losing to Putri Kusuma Wardani 12-21, 21-18, 13-21 in a 66-minute match.
“My opponent was really tough today, and I gave my best in making a comeback in the second set, but my mental strength has to be improved for me to progress further. Things will take time, but I’m getting there.
“Overall, this tournament has been a great experience for me, and I have learned so much by battling against some of the best-ranked players in the world,” said Letshanaa after her match.
Malaysia’s losing streak continued in the last match of the game as 21-year-old Wong Ling Ching succumbed 21-14, 15-21, 16-21 to Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, making the game score 3-0 to Indonesia, who were champions of the previous edition in 2022.
The national women’s team are officially out of the BATC, for which the top-four teams qualify for the Uber Cup finals in China, taking place from April 28 to May 5.
According to national badminton coaching director Rexy Mainaky, Malaysia still have a chance to qualify for the Uber Cup.
“We still have to figure out… (maybe) we have a chance based on our world ranking,” he said.
Aside from the guaranteed four slots from the BATC, the Uber Cup may have a few additional spots for unseeded teams.
Malaysia are currently ranked sixth in Asia. – February 16, 2024