KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Tey Seu Bock is aiming for Malaysia to win at least two out of three points in the singles matches aganist Hong Kong in the Thomas Cup Group D opener in Chengdu, China, on Saturday.
The long-serving national coach wants any of the four shuttlers - Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao, Cheam June Wei and Justin Hoh - to approach their matches with self-confidence, where failure is simply not an option.
On paper, Malaysia look set to secure two points from the doubles, considering Hong Kong's lack of depth in that department.
Seu Bock, however, urges his charges not to take anything for granted.
He stressed that the Malaysians should enter the court with the mindset that the points from the singles will be the ones making the difference.
"We need to win a point or two from the singles. We can't just solely depend on our doubles although we're looking strong in that department," said Seu Bock.
"Points from our doubles are not guaranteed, it's just that we have a higher winning percentage.
"It's a team event, every single point counts and I hope whoever is fielded, be it Zii Jia, Jun Hao or even June Wei and Justin, all of them can deliver."
Hong Kong, who have the services of Malaysia's former national coaching director Wong Choong Hann, will count on their experienced singles Lee Cheuk Yiu and Angus Ng to turn the tables on Malaysia.
The other two Hong Kong singles shuttlers are Jason Gunawan and Chan Yin Chak.
While Zii Jia's chances of beating Cheuk Yiu appear bright, the same optimism can't be applied to June Wei and Justin.
June Wei has been struggling to impress while Justin has yet to regain his top form since recovering from injury.
Seu Bock hopes Jun Hao can play a pivotal role in the second singles.
"He's psychologically prepared. From supposedly to play as the second or third singles, he will now play as second or even first.
"He's been training well, I have faith in him delivering in his possible match-up with Angus. The pressure will be on the Hong Kong player, who's more fancied to win."
