Uber Cup: Malaysia Can Reach Knockout Stage - Iskandar Zulkarnain

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- The national Uber Cup squad is expected to be capable of ending a 16-year drought of reaching the knockout stage, having last achieved the feat in the 2010 edition.

The confidence was expressed by national women’s singles head coach Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin based on the current performance of the country’s women shuttlers selected for the prestigious tournament.

However, Iskandar Zulkarnain said he does not want to place pressure on his players to end the drought, instead hoping they will be able to deliver their best performance in every match.

“In terms of performance, I feel we need to reach the knockout stage. But for the players, I do not want to put any pressure on them.

“What I will do is ensure they are prepared for whichever match they are fielded in because their opponents are also not to be underestimated as all of them are strong,” he said when met yesterday.

At the Uber Cup tournament, Malaysia have been drawn in Group B alongside Japan, followed by Türkiye and South Africa.

The challenge for the national women’s badminton squad will be spearheaded by last year’s women’s doubles world runners-up Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, with support from Carmen Ting-Ong Xin Yee as well as the young pair Low Zi Yu-Noraqilah Maisarah Ramdan.

Malaysia have also listed K. Letshanaa, Wong Ling Ching, Siti Zulaikha Azmi and former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei to compete in the women’s singles event.

-- BERNAMA