Sudirman Cup: Malaysia predicted line-up vs Japan

StadiumAstro looks at Malaysia’s potential line-up against Japan ahead of this big fixture.

Chen-Toh showed plenty of appetite after they demolished their Australian opponents in straight games.

Both shuttlers have closed the chapter on their split, and look eager to make up for the lost time they spent apart.

More importantly, Chen-Toh could be chosen to play over Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai because of their record against Midorikawa-Saito.

The Malaysians have beaten the world number four pair four times in six meetings, with the last win coming at the Malaysia Open.

The men’s doubles is perhaps the most competitive department in the squad right now, but for this clash the national doubles coaches may look at past records against the Japanese.

While Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik recently won the Asian Championships, they have only beaten Hoki-Kobayashi twice in 10 meetings.

With that in mind, Herry Iman Pierngadi and Rexy Mainaky may go with Goh-Izzuddin, who recently beat the Japanese pair at the Asian Championships first round.

Leong’s experience will give them the edge over Justin Hoh in this clash against Japan’s world number eight.

Either way, the Malaysian will go into this tie as the underdog against Naraoka who loves dabbling in long-rallies, which can frustrate any opponent who has the opposite style.

Leong will need to reduce the unforced errors, be more precise in his offense and also be patient during the long exchanges.

Perhaps the most unbalanced fixture of the lot, it will be asking too much of Letshaana to come away with an upset over Yamaguchi.

Such is the gulf in class between both shuttlers. Still, Letshaana could be preferred over Goh Jin Wei who struggled against her French opponent.

This could be the match which potentially delivers Malaysia’s most important point, but in order to achieve that, Tan-Thinaah must find a way to first overcome Matsuyama-Shida.

In 13 meetings, the world number five pair have only beaten the Japanese once.