Malaysia’s Thomas Cup run came to an end at the hands of host China, who won 3-1 in the semi-finals to book a 14th final appearance where they will face Indonesia in the city of Chengdu on Sunday.
It was always going to be a huge challenge for Malaysia to upstage their mighty opponents who have won this prestigious team event 10 times.
China will now be out to seek a 11th trophy success against Indonesia who are the tournament’s most successful team with 14 titles.
Despite giving it a good fight in the opening game, Lee Zii Jia wilted away in the second to lose 19-21, 5-21 against Shi Yu Qi in the first singles.
But Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik restored the country’s hopes with a sensational come-from-behind 15-21, 21-12, 21-17 victory over world number one pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang to level the scores at 1-1.
Leong Jun Hao was next up against Li Shi Feng, and there was a lot riding on him to replicate the success against Koki Watanabe in the quarter-finals against Japan where he played a near perfect match.
But despite taking an 8-2 lead in the opening game, Li’s class soon began to show and the reigning Asian Games gold medalist powered to a 21-17, 21-10 victory over the Malaysian.
With China 2-1 up on the night, hopes turned to the country’s second doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin to salvage the crucial point against He Ji Ting-Ren Xiang Yu to keep the team in this contest.
But despite winning the first game and holding a 19-18 lead in the second, Goh-Izzuddin who had not lost in the competition, could not convert the final two points needed.
They conceded the second game, and that fired the Chinese up to seal the deciding game for a 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 win.
Overall, it has been a good run for the national team who emulated their feat in 2016.
Yet still, the hunt for a first Thomas Cup title stretches on since the team last achieved it some 32-years ago back in 1992.
China will face an Indonesian side brimming with confidence after they disposed of Chinese Taipei 3-0 in the other semi-finals.
The Uber Cup will also witness China taking on Indonesia in the final.
Henry Larsson
Sat May 04 2024
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