CHALLENGE AHEAD
(Shuttlers Face Top Opponents At SEA Games)
By Jeannette Xavier
Singapore's shuttlers (pictured) left for Laos on Saturday (Dec 5) morning keenly aware of the challenge ahead as they try to at least come close to their haul of four silvers and two bronzes from 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.
Household Name
To achieve their goal, they will be counting on both familiar and less familiar faces. One household name in the team is Ronald Susilo. Even though he is not likely to feature prominently in the team this time the way he used to, his experience would certainly come in useful in key ties. This is all the more so now that another seasoned player Kendrick Lee, who won a silver in the men's singles in 2007, has dropped out due to his studies.
New Focus
The focus this year is very much on Derek Wong, our current No. 1 player who is ranked world No. 94. Earlier this year, he defeated Ronald Susilo in the round of 16 at the Li-Ning Singapore International Series. Other members of the men's team include Hendri Kurniawan, Hendra Wijaya and Ashton Chen. The task ahead will not be easy. Teams like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have world class players. For example, Indonesia alone has stars like Taufik Hidayat, Simon Santoso and Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who are among the world's best, while Malaysia will be led by Lee Chong Wei, the world No. 1.
Women's Team
The women's team will feature players like Li Li, Xing Aiying and Zhang Beiwen. Other players include Frances Liu, Shinta Mulia Sari and Fu Mingtian. They seem to have an easier task compared to their male counterparts but they must first get past Laos in the quarter-finals.