Latest news with #HooPangRon-ChengSuYin
The Star
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Japan a major stumbling block for Malaysia in fight to top group
Waiting patiently: Men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have yet to see action at the Sudirman Cup. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may have booked their place in the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals, but the real battle begins today when they take on Japan in a high-stakes Group C decider. Both teams go into the tie with identical records, having posted convincing wins over France and Australia. Victory will determine the group winner and could prove crucial in securing a more favourable draw for the knockout stage. For Malaysia, almost all players have been given the opportunity to showcase their abilities against France and Australia, except for men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and mixed doubles duo Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin. Even so, there are still concerns in certain areas, as the team have yet to display their best form despite facing lower-ranked opponents. For example, Justin Hoh admitted that he struggled with the drift at the Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen during his match against Australia's world No. 302, Shrey Dhand. 'Since this was my first match, I found it quite difficult to adjust to the conditions. The strong drift inside the hall made it hard to control the shuttle,' said Justin. 'I tried to play at a faster pace and I'm really happy to have won the match. 'I hope to perform better in the next one.' Additionally, women's doubles pair Go Pei Kee-Carmen Ting were unable to maintain Malaysia's perfect record against Australia, falling to Gronya Somerville-Angela Yu 15-21, 18-21. Thus it will be a tough challenge for Malaysia as the team have yet to find their best form in several areas, despite a 5-0 win over France and a 4-1 victory against Australia yesterday. Clashes between Malaysia and Japan have become a familiar feature in the mixed team championship, whether in the early rounds or the business end of the competition. But if history is anything to go by, Malaysia have often found Japan to be a major stumbling block. Back in 2017 in Gold Coast, Malaysia, led by Datuk Lee Chong Wei, lost a tight group match 2-3. The two sides met again in the quarter-finals, with Japan coming out on top 3-1. The rivalry resumed in 2019 in Nanning, where Japan once again dashed Malaysia's hopes with a 3-0 win in the last eight. Two years later in Vantaa, Finland, the teams were drawn in the same group. Despite a spirited effort, Malaysia went down 1-4. Still, the young squad managed to end the country's 12-year medal drought in the tournament by claiming bronze. With the stakes raised and a potential top spot on the line, Malaysia will be hoping to finally turn the tables on their long-time rivals.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Can Pang Ron-Su Yin redeem themselves in Xiamen?
KUALA LUMPUR: Mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin have admitted to being "too predictable" in their play on the World Tour. And this has led to a lack of good results. However, they believe that this will not affect them much in the Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China, beginning on Sunday. The world No. 14 are one of Malaysia's three mixed doubles — the others being world No. 3 Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai and world No. 4 Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei — for the Sudirman Cup despite their poor results on the tour. Though Pang Ron-Su Yin surprised the field to finish runners-up in the China Masters in November, their performance has dipped since then. There is a possibility they may be fielded against France in the opening tie on Monday or against Australia on April 29. "We need to solve some problems in our play. We are trying to add more variety into our game and also improve our mental strength," said Pang Ron. "Since reaching the final of the China Masters, more rivals have focused on beating us. We cannot remain predictable as this will make it difficult for us to progress. "However, I don't think this will affect us in team events like the Sudirman Cup." Pang Ron also dismissed the possibility of him and Su Yin going separate ways following their underwhelming results. "We have been communicating with each other and also our coaches to find a solution," added Pang Ron.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Pang Ron-Su Yin need to level up in Sudirman Cup
No letting up: Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin taking part in simulation matches during training for the Sudirman Cup. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin are determined not to be mere passengers in the national squad for the Sudirman Cup, which gets underway this Sunday in Xiamen, China. For Pang Ron, this will mark his third appearance at the prestigious team event. He has previously won two bronze medals with different partners. In Vantaa, he partnered Cheah Yee See and was Malaysia's main bet in key matches, including the tie against England's Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith, as well as the Group D decider against Japan's Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino. They also featured in the quarter-final clash against Indonesia's Praveen Jordan-Melati Daeva Oktavianti. However, things were different in Suzhou. Although listed alongside Teoh Mei Xing, they did not get to play a single match as Malaysia had brought along established pairs Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing, and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei. This time around, Pang Ron-Su Yin know they must raise their game to impress the coaching panel, as they face stiff competition from the other two pairs, Soon Huat-Shevon and Tang Jie-Ee Wei if they hope to see action even in the group stage. Still, Pang Ron knows earning a spot in the line-up won't come easy, especially with the pair currently struggling to rediscover their form. Since their impressive runner-up finish at the China Masters last November, they have yet to deliver any standout performances this year. 'I felt happy when I found out I made the team, and I believe we have a strong squad,' said Pang Ron. 'Su Yin and I may be facing some issues at the moment, but we're working hard to overcome them, and it's clear to everyone what those issues are. 'After the China Masters, many pairs have started to take note of our abilities. They've been analysing our game closely, and now I can say it's no longer easy to play against any opponent.' The mixed doubles squad are shaping up to be one of Malaysia's strongest departments at this year's Sudirman Cup, alongside the men's doubles line-up. The men's team will be spearheaded by top-tier combinations, including Asian champions Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 2 pair Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and rising duo Man Wei Chong–Tee Kai Wun. Malaysia will begin their Sudirman Cup campaign in Group C against France on April 28, followed by a clash with Australia on April 29, before wrapping up the group stage against three-time runners-up Japan on May 1. Only the top two teams from the group will advance to the quarter-finals.
