{
  "id": 6896149,
  "title": "Lee Zii Jia’s coach Liew Daren hit by online backlash after Vietnam Open upset",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/lee-zii-jias-coach-liew-daren-hit-by-online-backlash-after-vietnam",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T08:26:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/sports/2026/09/12/lee-zii-jias-coach-liew-daren-hit-by-online-backlash-after-vietnam-open-upset/234958"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, September 12 — Malaysia's badminton coach Liew Daren has endured a barrage of online backlash following Lee Zii Jia's early exit from the Vietnam Open. The incident occurred after Zii Jia lost to Taiwan's Wu Zhe-ying, ranked 88th in the world, in the second round of the Super 100 tournament. The backlash was amplified by a particularly scathing comment Liew allegedly posted on his personal social media account, stating, \"Oii you better quit from Team Lee Zii Jia, you are the most useless coach he can get.\" This was followed by another critic's response, alleging that Liew's advice had negatively impacted Zii Jia's recent performance. Liew took over coaching duties for Zii Jia in January, stepping into the role vacated by Yeoh Kay Bin, who moved to the Badminton Association of Malaysia's junior men's singles programme. Despite the criticism, Lee Chong Wei, the former Asian champion and president of the Malaysian Badminton Association, expressed sympathy for Zii Jia's plight and offered his assistance should Zii Jia seek help in regaining his form. Zii Jia once held a world ranking of No. 2, thanks to his victory at the All-England Championship the previous year. However, a series of injuries and bouts of depression have hindered his progress in recent times.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 — Lee Zii Jia’s coach Liew Daren has faced a wave of online criticism after the Malays...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Independent men’s singles shuttler Aidil Sholeh stuns China’s fifth seed to reach Vietnam Open semi-finals",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/independent-mens-singles-shuttler-aidil-sholeh-stuns-chinas-fifth",
        "published": "2026-09-12T08:38:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}