Lee Chong Wei says his Malaysian teammates and himself are gearing up to give it their all at this year's Sudirman Cup, starting 21 May in Gold Coast, Australia.
The world number one will be an integral part of fifth-seeded Malaysian team as they prepare to face inaugural Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championships title winners Japan and Germany in the group stages. The fifth-seeded team's best performance came in 2009 when they reached the semi-final of the tournament.
However, with an in-form Chong Wei, who has started the new season with All England Championships title and final appearance at Malaysia Superseries Premier, leading the campaign, the Malaysian unit will be upbeat about their chances of going the distance.
Apart from the legendary shuttler, the fifth-seeded team will also have Iskandar Zulkarnain in the Men's singles category, while Goh Jin Wei and Soniia Cheah are part of the Women's singles team. Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi form a formidable Men's doubles team. Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei and Chow Mei Kuan/Lee Mene Yean will be part of Women's doubles unit while Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing and Chan Peng Soon/Cheah Yee See are part of their Mixed doubles unit.
"We are on the final stretch of training now and we are doing a lot to keep our team spirit strong. We want to go as a united team and put up a good showing together," Chong Wei said, as quoted by The Star.
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"I am going out there to do my best and win a point for the team. Everyone, including me, is all fired up to try and win."
While positive words from the veteran in sure to boost the confidence of the team, Malaysia are set to face an uphill task if they manage to reach the knockout stage as an early test against 10-time champions China awaits them.
With two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan leading the show for China, reigning Olympic champion Chen Long, who also won last month's Badminton Asia Championships, is also part of the team, which has top-ranked shuttlers of the likes of He Bingjiao, Chen Yufei, Jia Yifan and Li Yinhui.
Chong Wei has had his troubles against both Lin and Chen in the past and the numero uno has to be at his best if he is to get past the former shuttler, against whom he has lost two straight encounters (Malaysia Open final and Badminton Asia Championships semi-final) in the new season.
While the likes of He Bingjiao and Chen Yufei will be tough opponents for Soniia and Goh, the onus will fall of the Men's doubles pairing of Goh and Wee Kiong to seal crucial point for Malaysia in what is already a highly-anticipated quarter-final tie.
