Defending champions Hong Kong face stern test against India’s men and women at Asian Squash Championships in Kuala Lumpur
- Hong Kong are without a number of stars who retired last year, including former women’s top 10 player Annie Au
- Both teams face India in the semi-finals, with the women being slight favourites while the men go in as underdogs
Hong Kong’s reigning champions – still rebuilding after the retirement of several star players – face a stern test of their mettle in the Asian Squash Championships on Friday when they take on the Indian men and women in the semi-finals in Kuala Lumpur.
Hong Kong were impressive three years ago when cleaning up both titles at the 2018 Asian event in Cheongju, South Korea.
But a number of key players who helped them to glory will not be at the National Squash Centre in Malaysia after hanging up their racquets last year. Annie Au Wing-chi, Hong Kong’s only top 10 player so far, her younger brother Leo Au Chun-ming, the 2018 Asian Games champion, and Joey Chan Ho-ling, the Hong Kong number two behind Annie, all retired in 2020.
Led by Liu Tsz-ling, Tong Tsz-wing, Ho Tze-lok and Lee Ka-yi, the women’s team were still able to win all their group matches against South Korea, Japan and Sri Lanka to finish top of their pool.
Although the men’s team managed four wins against Iran, South Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka, they lost 2-1 to hosts Malaysia and finished second in their pool. As a result, they will meet top seeds India for a place in the final. The four members of the men’s team are Yip Tsz-fung, Max Lee Ho-yin, Alex Lau Tsz-kwan and Henry Leung Chi-hin.
Head coach Peter Genever was happy with the overall performances after both teams made it through to the semi-finals, although his players needed some time to adjust to the team format.
Like most of sporting events in the region, the biennial tournament had been postponed from last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Genever remained upbeat about the women’s chances of reaching the final, even though India will field top-10 player Joshna Chinappa. He wants to men to rise to the occasion against their favoured opponents.
“India has a very strong number one who is a top 10 player in the world but the strength and depth of our squad is better,” said the coach of the women’s team. “We are expecting to get through to the final but it will be a tough match as it always is in that stage.
