Lee Zii Jia’s Vietnam Open exit sparks coach Liew Daren backlash
Malaysian shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s second-round defeat at the Vietnam Open has triggered a social media backlash against his coach, Liew Daren, after the latter shared a fan’s harsh criticism on his personal account.
Source: malaysia.news.yahoo.com · September 21, 2026 at 1:32 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
Malaysian shuttler Lee Zii Jia’s second-round defeat at the Vietnam Open has triggered a social media backlash against his coach, Liew Daren, after the latter shared a fan’s harsh criticism on his personal account.
Market Impact
Zii Jia, ranked world No. 2 in 2022, lost 14-21, 18-21 to Taiwan’s Wu Zhe-ying (world No. 88) in the Super 100 tournament. A fan’s comment—“Oii you better quit from Team Lee Zii Jia, you are the most useless coach he can get”—was later amplified by Daren on Instagram, sparking further abuse. The same user accused Daren of contributing to Zii Jia’s recent slump, citing poor form in recent tournaments.
The criticism follows Zii Jia’s decision to compete in the lower-tier Vietnam Open as part of a confidence-building strategy. His early exit marked another setback after a career disrupted by injuries and depression. The 28-year-old, who won the 2021 All-England title, has struggled to regain his peak after missing much of 2023 due to physical and mental health challenges.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) performance committee chairman Lee Chong Wei, the former world No. 1, has reiterated support for Zii Jia, offering a potential return to the national team if he seeks help rebuilding his game. “If he needs assistance, we’re here,” Lee told The Star, adding that Zii Jia remains a key figure in Malaysian badminton despite his recent struggles.
Daren took over as Zii Jia’s coach in January, replacing Yeoh Kay Bin, who joined BAM’s junior men’s singles programme. The coaching change came amid Zii Jia’s efforts to stabilise his form, though his recent performances—including a first-round loss at the Indonesia Masters in August—have raised questions about his readiness for elite competition.
The backlash against Daren underscores the intense scrutiny Malaysian badminton faces, particularly after Zii Jia’s historic rise to No. 2. While some fans defend the coach, arguing that player-form issues extend beyond coaching, others blame Daren for Zii Jia’s recent struggles. The tension reflects broader challenges in Malaysia’s badminton ecosystem, where high expectations often clash with the realities of elite sport.
Zii Jia’s next tournament is the Japan Open, where he will aim to reverse his recent trend. His ability to regain consistency will determine whether the coaching controversy fades—or escalates further. For now, the focus remains on his recovery, both physically and mentally, as he seeks to reclaim his place among the world’s best.