KUALA LUMPUR: Despite making good progress since they were reunited, doubles shuttler Goh Sze Fei conceded that it would be difficult for him and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani to qualify for the Paris Olympics next year.
As the qualifying period reaches its halfway stage, Sze Fei-Izzuddin are currently the fourth-highest-ranked Malaysian pair in the Race to Paris standings at No. 17, behind Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (No. 2), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 11) and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 16).
As things stand, Aaron-Wooi Yik are all but assured of their second Games appearance. But in order for any of these three pairs harbours hope to secure the next spot for the country, they must break into the top eight by the end of next April.
Sze Fei believes it would take something special from him and Izzuddin to do so, but they aren't prepared to throw in the towel without putting up a fight.
"Frankly, it's going to be really hard for us. But not until the doors are completely shut, we will keep trying," said Sze Fei.
"That was exactly the reason why we got back together, that's to try qualify for the Olympics.
Following a brief four-month split due to "loss of trust", Sze Fei-Izzuddin, who ranked a career-high No. 9 last year, somehow patched up and rejoined forces in June.
They swiftly made an impact by winning three titles - US Open Super 300, Kaoshiung Masters Super 100 and Abu Dhabi Masters Super 100.
However, reality did hit them hard as they failed to replicate the same kind of success in the higher-tier tournaments.
In Super 500-level tournaments or higher, their best were being quarter-finalists of the Hong Kong Open and Korea Open.
They wrapped up the year with back-to-back first-round defeats at the Kumamoto Masters Super 500 and China Masters Super 750.
"We enjoyed a good start upon returning but unfortunately, the same can't be said for how we ended the year," he said.
"We came up short on meeting our own expectations. We really have to buck up and do better when we return next year.
"I have no doubts that we can get back to where we were last time. We have what it takes to play against the top pairs. We just need to have more faith in ourselves."
Sze Fei-Izzuddin will be looking forward to making amends at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 from Jan 9-14, which serves as the season-opener for the 2024 World Tour.