Two years ago, once the final ball had been hit, Annie Au Wing-chi wasn't sure what to think.
'Oh, she won,' Au said of her Hong Kong teammate. But then a moment later, Au realised Chiu Ka-kei's victory meant Hong Kong had won the team event at the World Junior Women's Championship.
It was a shock - Au didn't think they could have beaten the Egyptians - but even with the win, she is still unsure whether the team can repeat their success.
'We have to try our best,' Au said. 'We have to defend and then when we have the chance, we can attack.'
Much of the uncertainty comes from the fact only Au and Leung Shin-nga return from the 2005 championship team, as the other two members, Chiu and Joey Chan Ho-ling, are now above the age limit and have been replaced by Liu Tsz-ling and Tong Tsz-wing. As the individual event began yesterday, coach Tony Choi Yuk-kwan said he wouldn't predict a repeat for Hong Kong, but said the team had prepared well and were fit enough to compete.
'Last time, we had four very mature players,' Choi said. 'If the players perform, I think we have a chance to make it into the top four, but it's not easy.'
Complicating Hong Kong's chances of success is the top team from Egypt, who also have the first seed and defending champion in Raneem El Weleily.
