The Malaysian contingent will face a challenging assignment at the upcoming Sudirman Cup (September 26-October 3), especially against Japan and England in Group D after the full list of contingents were released.

The Sudirman Cup format consists of five matches – with one in every discipline from men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and finally the mixed doubles.

Malaysia’s first game comes against England on September 27, and while Lee Zii Jia may have no problems against young Ethan Rose in the men’s singles, the other categories may not be entirely straightforward.

World number 53 S. Kisona will most likely face Abigail Holden in the women’s singles.

Holden comes into this team event having recently won the Hellas International, and the Brit will be eager to challenge Kisona on court.

The men’s doubles will most likely pit Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik against Ben Lane-Sean Vendy, who are ranked 19th.

The women’s doubles will see Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah take on world number 14 pair Lauren Smith-Chloe Birch, and in the mixed doubles Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See will have to contend against world number seven pair of Marcus Ellis-Lauren Smith.

The national contingent should sweep to a perfect win over minnows Egypt in their second match before facing a potential do-or-die showdown against heavyweights Japan in their final match (September 30).

Despite the retirement of world number six men’s doubles Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda, the Japanese are still a formidable force in every department.

Still the world number one, Kento Momota will especially be eager to atone for his early exits at the All-England and Tokyo Olympics this year when he faces Lee.

In the women’s singles, Kisona will be up against either world number three Nozomi Okuhara or Akane Yamaguchi who sits fifth.

In the men’s doubles, 2019 World Championships finalists Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi will assume the mantle from Takeshi-Keigo.

World number three pair Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara will start as favourites against Pearly-Thinaah, and in the mixed doubles there’s world number five Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino.

The Badminton Association of Malaysia have gone for youth over experience for the Sudirman Cup by selecting a contingent with an average age of 22.