Malaysia will face Denmark in their final Thomas Cup mouthwatering Group D clash on Tuesday, with the winner guaranteed top spot. StadiumAstro looks at three matches which the contingent could conjure up the win.
Lee Zii Jia vs Viktor Axelsen
This will be the biggest showdown of the group stage, pitting two shuttlers of similar styles.
Both Zii Jia and Axelsen will bring plenty of aggression to this match, and will out to score as many winners with their smashes.
But it will go beyond just offensive talent, with both shuttlers' psychology set to be tested in this first singles match, especially since they last played a full match in 2022.
Zii Jia started off his Thomas Cup campaign with a fine straight game victory over Lee Cheuk Yiu, while Axelsen was pushed to the wire against the Hong Kong star before narrowly prevailing.
The Malaysian needs a confident start to take the first game, which will give him a massive lift to go on and secure the first point for the country.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik vs Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen
Chia-Soh will be expected to beat the Danes in this first doubles match, especially with a 6-3 win advantage against their opponents.
The Malaysians also won both their meetings against Astrup-Rasmussen last year, but their opponents are not to be taken lightly by any means.
Astrup-Rasmussen are fourth in the world, one ahead of Chia-Soh.
They are also newly crowned European champions, and will be out to unsettle the country’s number one pair.
But if Chia-Soh perform true to their form, this point should be a shoo-in for the taking.
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin vs Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard
Goh-Izzuddin are likely to be restored to the line-up, and they could have the opportunity to confirm Malaysia’s win in the second doubles.
Both these pairs have yet to face each other, which will make this tie all that more interesting.
All four men will be out to test each other's resolve early on and probe for significant weakness, so it is pivotal the Malaysians stay composed and try to gain a sustained momentum.
Goh-Izzuddin have the slight edge to win this match thanks to their recent form, which saw them clinch a silver medal at the recent Badminton Asia Championships.
They also beat Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man-Reginald Lee in straight games, whereas Kjaer-Sogaard were taken to a decider before they won.
Nicolas Anil
Mon Apr 29 2024
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