Aaron Chia conceded the national contingent are underdogs in their Thomas Cup group, but emphasized the players will stop at nothing to top Group D that also contains the likes of Denmark and Hong Kong.
To achieve this, the national men's doubles shuttler highlighted the importance of getting the all-important opening match victory against Hong Kong as the national contingent ramp up their preparation for the biennial competition.
On paper, Denmark are favourites to top the group with their strongest line-up including world number one Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, and so the battle for second place is expected to be a shootout between Malaysia and Hong Kong.
“The opening match is crucial for us to qualify to the last eight. On paper, Denmark are strong in their singles department, and their doubles aren’t too bad as well. We are underdogs, but we will do our best to top the group,” said Chia.
While overcoming Denmark will be seen as a massive result, Hong Kong should not be taken lightly by any means.
Aware that their doubles department is not the strongest, Malaysian coaches in the Hong Kong team – Wong Choong Hann and Choong Tan Fook – have enlisted the country’s mixed doubles players Tang Chun Man-Reginald Lee as part of the squad.
Tang and Lee are ranked eighth and 22nd respectively with their mixed doubles partners, and will bring that experience into the Thomas Cup.
But Hong Kong will naturally bank on their top two singles players who are Angus Ng Ka Long and Lee Cheuk Yiu to bag the points.
With Ng Tze Yong out of contention, Malaysia will need Lee Zii Jia, Leong Jun Hao and either Justin Hoh, Cheam June Wei or Choong Hon Jian to come good in the singles match-ups.
Ng was dropped from the squad on Friday after he was confirmed to undergo another surgery to fix his ongoing back problem, and as a result Choong was drafted into the squad.
Henry Larsson
Mon Apr 22 2024
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