Rexy believes women’s team can make cut for Uber Cup

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) may not have much faith in the men’s team making the cut for the Thomas Cup Finals, but national women’s doubles coach Rexy Mainaky believes his charges can qualify for the Uber Cup Finals.
Malaysia have been drawn with powerhouses China and India in Group W for the Uber Cup qualifying rounds, which begin in Macau on Feb 13 and stand a very slim chance of reaching the Finals, which will be held in Wuhan, China, in May. With former national ace Wong Mew Choo already retired, Malaysia are shorn of singles talent as the likes of Tee Jing Yi, Lydia Cheah, Sannatasah Saniru and Yang Li Lian are nowhere near capable of carrying the team past the group stages.

Saina Nehwal: Rexy thinks Tee Jing Yi can give the Indian shuttler a run for her money.

However, Rexy feels that the draw isn’t too bad and that there is a realistic chance of overcoming India to advance from the group stages.
“Our main target is to overcome India ... if (Chin) Eei Hui-(Wong) Pei Tty are injury-free, they have the quality to win a point against the top Indian pair of Jwala Gutta-Ashwini Ponnappa,” said Rexy.
“Our second doubles are also not to be underestimated ... they can rise to the occasion.
“In the singles, Jing Yi could give Saina Nehwal a run for her money and an on-form Lydia can overcome India’s second singles without much difficulty.”
Besides Eei Hui-Pei Tty, the other women’s doubles shuttlers in the squad are Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei and Goh Liu Ying-Lim Yin Loo.
Vivian-Khe Wei reached the quarter-finals of the Malaysian Open last month while Liu Ying-Yin Loo pulled off a stunning win over Jwala-Ashwini in the India Open GP Gold last December.
Rexy also confirmed that Khe Wei, who twisted her ankle during the Malaysian Open, is already doing light training.
“She is not yet 100% fit and her movement is a little restricted, but she is recovering fast and should be fit for the qualifiers,” he said.
Courtesy of The Star