Sudirman Cup: Malaysia secure dominant 5-0 success over France

Malaysia opened their Sudirman Cup campaign with a 5-0 whitewash over France in their opening Group C match in Xiamen, China on Monday.

Nothing but a 5-0 victory was expected from the national team, who boasted a strong line-up against a weakened French side.

France had chosen to compete in this tournament without some of their established stars that included Toma Junior Popov-Christo Popov, Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue and reigning European’s men’s singles champion Alex Lanier.

Credit to the Malaysians who answered that call to win big in fine fashion.

Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, given the nod over Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, gave Malaysia the lead with a 21-11, 21-9 victory over Mael Cattoen-Lucas Renoir in the men’s doubles.

Goh Jin Wei soon doubled that advantage with a 21-10, 21-19 victory over Leonice Huet in the women’s singles, before Leong Jun Hao secured the outright victory in the following match.

The national men’s singles shuttler did not look at his best, but did just enough to carve out a hard fought 22-20, 21-19 win over Arnaud Merkle.

Pearly Tan-M.Thinaah made it 4-0 after overcoming Margot Lambert-Camille Pognante 21-13, 21-10 in the women’s doubles, and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Huat completed the landslide win in the mixed doubles.

Goh-Lai beat Gregoire Deschamp-Elsa Jacob 21-7, 21-19.

Malaysia will play Australia in their second group match on Tuesday, where victory will secure their berth into the quarter-finals.