Zii Jia leads charge for Malaysia at Asia Team Championships

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) announced their line-up for the upcoming Asia Team Championships, with Lee Zii Jia leading the charge as the first men's singles.

Ng Tze Yong, who recently made the semi-finals of the India Open, would most likely assume the second singles, while Aidil Sholeh, Leong Jun Hao, Lim Chong King and Jacky Kok would battle it out for the third singles position.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today announced the line-up for the 2022 Badminton Asia Team Championships scheduled to take place in at the Setia City Convention Centre, Selangor from 15 to 20 February. pic.twitter.com/vMJIueps3Y

— BAM (@BA_Malaysia) January 29, 2022

National coaching director Wong Choong Hann said the selections were based on merit.

"We selected these shuttlers based on their results. As we know, Lee and Ng have done well last year, and for the likes of Jacky we want to give him exposure.

"He shown steady improvement and we feel this is the right time to give him a chance," he said.

As for the men's doubles, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik should be fielded as the first pair.

The other doubles slot could still be up for grabs between Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.

Man-Tee were excellent on the World Tour by winning three titles last year, and they continued in the same rich form by bagging the Syed Modi International title last week for their first win this year.

Meanwhile in the women’s singles, S.Kisona and Eoon Qi Xuan would lead the charge in the women’s singles, with both shuttlers expected to occupy the first two slots.

The other options for the third singles are Siti Nurshuhaini, Myisha Khairul and Tan Zhing Yi.

World number 15 pair Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah would lead the line in the women’s doubles, and there would be plenty of options for the second pairing through Teoh Mei Xing-Anna Cheong, Valeree Siow-Low Yeen Yuan and Go Pei Kee.

Goh Jin Wei was excluded altogether, and it is most likely through her lack of competitive action, with the shuttler last seeing action in mid-last year.