KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 — Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann wants the national squad to remain alert to the threat of lesser teams although they have avoided meeting the big guns in the group stage of the Sudirman Cup in May.

Choong Hann said this is due to the fact that the national team are now ranked fourth in the world after moving up one rung according to the ranking released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), as such placing them in Pot 1 with 12-time champions China, Japan and Indonesia.

The three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, however, admitted that it was a positive development for the national team, but demanded that his men be on their toes in the prestigious tournament.

"Of course, it is good to be on top as I think we have come a long way since we were ranked eighth or ninth three years back. It is a milestone... but I believe that this rise in ranking will only help us a little in the draw (for the Sudirman Cup) because, for me, the fourth ranking is just a number and needs to be improved on.

"We need to prepare from now on to build a strong team for the competition. It is a process where the whole team know their own task and the potential threat from challengers in the same category,” he said at Akademi Badminton Malaysia, here, today.

Meanwhile, Choong Hann played down the national team’s defeat in the 2023 Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championship in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates last week, saying it cannot be used as a true benchmark since the players have yet to show their true mettle on court.

"Sure it is a worry when we can’t perform at our best. However, it is important that we do not put too much pressure on the players because they have given their best.

"Sometimes, the unexpected will crop up in a tournament. We believe they have self-worth and do not want to lose to their opponents. They will definitely learn from the tournament and improve for the next competition,” he said.

In the 2021 edition of the Sudirman Cup in Vantaa, Finland, Malaysia crashed out in the semi-finals after losing 3-1 to Japan.

The 2023 Sudirman Cup will be held in Suzhou, China from May 14-21. — Bernama