Thomas Cup Preliminary Round: Despite losing semi-final Malaysian back-up shuttlers put up good show
Malaysia lost to Japan in the semi-final clash of Thomas Cup Preliminary Round but the nation's back-up shuttlers did show their elevated skills in the encounter against their higher ranked Japanese opponents in Macau, on Friday, February 17.
The gusty performance of Malaysian youngsters indicates that there is hope for the country in the category of Men’s Singles. As Malaysia already secured a spot in the Thomas Cup Finals, all top shuttlers gave a chance to young players to fight against Japan in the Preliminary Round.
Japanese players won the battle with a 3-0 margin but they had to dig deep into their arsenal to chuck out their Malaysian opponents.
In the opening Men’s Singles contest, Malaysia’s experienced shuttler, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim played well against Japan’s Sho Sasaki but failed to remain dominant at the concluding stage of both games and lost the match in straight sets.
The World Number 33 Hafiz was ahead of Sasaki in the first set by a 17-12 margin but failed to end it as his rival played flawless game at the end and won the set. Hafiz lost this first game with a 19-21 score on the board.
In the following game, Hafiz was ahead at 8-2 but again failed to maintain the difference as his opponent against took over the control and bagged the set. Hafiz lost it with a margin of 16-21 and also lost the match with an overall score of 19-21 and 16-21.
The following contest was Men’s Doubles where Malaysia’s Lim Khim Wah and Goh V Shem lost to Japan’s Noriyasu Hirata and Hirokatsu Hashimoto in a thrilling three-set fight. The Japanese won the fight with a margin of 21-11, 11-21 and 21-18.
In the second Men’s Singles battle, Malaysia’s talented back-up shuttler Daren Liew was up against Kenichi Tago of Japan. Daren played well but Tago overpowered him in the ending stages of both games and won the match with a 30-28 and 21-19 score on the board.
Malaysia’s Singles head coach, Rashid Sidek, said that all shuttlers put up convincing show against Japan.
He said, "Although there was no pressure at all as we have already qualified for the final round, we put up a good fight even without our top players.”
Now, Malaysia will play against Indonesia in a playoff for the third and fourth positions in the Preliminary Round.
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