Razif Sidek terms Japan as a major threat in Thomas Cup Finals – Badminton News
Malaysian badminton legend Razif Sidek tagged Japan as a dark horse and declared it a major threat for Malaysia in Thomas Cup Finals, set to be held in Wuhan from May 20, 2012.
Both countries may face each other in final if they end knock out round as group winners. This quarter-final win will place them at third and fourth place which means they will avoid a clash in semi-finals.
However, if Malaysia fails to overcome Denmark in group stage, they will meet Japan in the elimination round.
Former national coach Razif Sidek believes both teams stand equal chance to rise as Japan has now much stronger squad than past and it will be a huge task to overcome its world class shuttlers.
He said, “I reckon the score will be either a 3-2 win or 1-3 defeat for Malaysia. Japan used to have only one strong singles and one formidable doubles pair during my time but now, they have depth in the team.”
Japanese squad includes Men’s Singles experts like World Number six Sho Sasaki and World Number eight Kenichi Tago while Men’s Doubles flank is covered by world class pairs like Naoki Kawamae-Shoji Sato and Hirokatsu Hashimoto-Noriyasu Hirata.
The Malaysian skipper Lee Chong Wei will open the marathon by playing against Sho Sasaki and Razif Sidek thinks that the World Number one shuttler will easily secure the honour as he has never lost to his Japanese opponent.
He said, “The record clearly shows Chong Wei is a superior player. This point is for the Malaysian’s taking.”
However, former All England Champion was bit cautious about the second Singles and Doubles campaigners Daren Liew and Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem as he alarmed that their recent form is not very encouraging and they will struggle against higher ranked opponents.
Razif said, “Based on recent results, I don’t think Daren stands a chance against the formidable Kenichi. Our second doubles pair is ranked lower and it will be quite challenging for them to come through.”
Moreover, he also stated that the first Doubles contest will also be a tough trial for Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and this makes Hafiz Hashim’s role very crucial and he hoped that Hashim will rise in that must-win situation.
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