M'sia raring go to for Sudirman Cup honours - Norza

Despite facing several player issues in the run-up to the Sudirman Cup badminton tournament, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Norza Zakaria is confident the national squad has strong team spirit to go far.

"Before this we were confronted with the inconsistent performance of the men's doubles, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong and later mixed doubles player Goh Liu Ying was struck by an old injury.

"I have been told by team captain Datuk Lee Chong Wei all players selected for Sudirman Cup are raring to go. As the tournament is a mixed team championship, victory will have to come from all players," he said when met by Bernama at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) here, Wednesday.

The team led by Chong Wei left for Gold Coast, Australia tonight in two groups with flights sponsored by AirAsia.

On Sudirman Cup group matches, Mohamad Norza said Malaysia would face Germany on May 23 and Japan on the next day.

"Even though Japan has some of the best women players, we could depend on Goh Jin Wei and women''s doubles, Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei to pull a surprise or two," he said.

According to Mohamad Norza, BAM was still maintaining its target of a semi-final slot in the tournament.

"If we could go further than that, it would be the best outing for Malaysia. Based on the squad''s current performance and fighting spirit, they can do it," he said.

Apart from Chong Wei, the national squad comprised men''s singles player, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and Teo Ee Yi/Ong Yew Sin (men''s doubles), Chan Peng Soon/Cheah Yee See and Tan Kia Meng/Lai Pei Jing (mixed doubles).

Also listed in the team are Goh Jin Wei and Sonia Cheah (women''s singles), Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei and Chow Mei Kuan/ Lee Meng Yean (women''s doubles).

-- BERNAMA