To qualify for Thomas Cup Final will be an uphill task for Malaysia, says Muhammad Hafiz Hashim
Malaysia’s Men’s Singles experienced shuttler, Hafiz Muhammad Hashim, says that it will be an uphill task for Malaysian team to qualify for the Thomas Cup Finals as it is the most vulnerable squad he has ever seen in his professional career.
Hafiz Hashim, who has been positioned at number 33 in Men’s Singles world placements, is no more a part of national team as he is an independent player.
He said that Men’s Singles World Number One Lee Chong Wei and Men’s Doubles World Number Seven pair of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong have to win all of their matches in the Thomas Cup Qualifying Round, which will take from February 9-14 in Macau.
According to Hafiz Hashim, there is no other shuttler who has the skill to deliver well in this tournament. However, he put emphasis on the contribution of back-up players, which can ensure success in the qualifying round matches for the Thomas Cup Finals.
While talking about the current condition of national squad, the elite shuttler said that he has never been a part of such a weak squad since 2002.
He also expressed that the current Malaysian squad cannot match the strength of China, Indonesia and South Korea because all these countries have more strength in all categories of the game.
"I have been in Thomas Cup squads since 2002 and this the weakest we have. Because teams like Japan, Taiwan and Thailand have improved and become very dangerous, it is going to be a struggle for us in Macau. We can no longer match China, South Korea or Indonesia
as they have become stronger.”
He further added, "The back-up players can no longer have it easy and must come out and contribute to the team. Previously, back-up players or pairs were reserves but they cannot think of themselves in the same way any longer.”
Hafiz Hashim said playing against Thailand, Taiwan and Japan will be challenging because the lack of strength in the national squad.
He also said that more pressure will be on the shoulders of Chong Wei, Kien Keat and Boon Heong. These shuttlers must play top quality badminton and win all matches if Malaysia wants to qualify for the Thomas Cup Finals.
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