Malaysia overpowers India to make the cut for Thomas Cup Finals
Malaysian players confirm their trip to The Thomas Cup Finals in Wuhan, China after knocking out India yesterday in the quarter-finals of the Asia Zone qualifying round in Macau.
Malaysia will play against Japan in the semi-finals of the Badminton Asia 2012 Thomas & Uber Cup preliminaries. In the second semi-final, top ranked China will take on Indonesia.
Malaysia, despite having their weakest squad in years, outclassed Hong Kong, South Korea before beating India to 3-0.
Team leader Lee Chong Wei led from the front by beating his Indian opponent Ajay Jayaram. Lee lost a game but stormed back by ending the match with decisive score of 21-12, 17-21 and 21-8.
Later in second game the duo of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, who delivered stunner against Korea, took the lead to 2-0 by thrashing Indian pair Rupesh Kumar-Sanave Thomas with 21-14 and 23-21 score on board.
The winless shuttler Muhammad Hafiz Hashim finally erased the tag and shined after losing two consecutive group matches against Hong Kong and South Korea. He sealed Malaysian victory by overpowering seasoned Indian shuttler Parupalli Kashyap with 21-17,
18-21 and 21-11.
The National singles coach Rashid Sidek was satisfied as the performances have silenced the critics who were predicting that Malaysia will not even qualify for the Finals.
Jubilant with his shuttler’s performance, Coach Rashid said, “So much was said about the team prior to the qualifiers. Some quarters even undermined our team’s chances. I am glad that our players did not let all the negative talk affect their rhythm as they
pulled through together to make the Finals. Our success here is all about great team work.”
Malaysia is expected to field his senior shuttlers against Japan, to test his back-up players. Coach Rashid Sidek admitted that they are planning to give rest to Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong.
He said, “They may give Chong Wei and Kien Keat-Boon Heong a break and move up the others – especially the back-up players.”
Malaysia is locking horn with Japan today. Both teams have already reserved their rights for trip to Wuhan, China. So, win or lose situation will not bother their stakes in Thomas Cup finals.
Malaysia may also field Hafiz as the first singles; on the other hand Hoon Thien How-Teo Kok Siang may join Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem in the doubles matches.
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