CHENGDU: Despite low expectations from men’s singles camp heading to Thomas Cup 2024 in Chengdu, the Malaysian squad managed to prove their mettle after sweeping aside Hong Kong in the Group D opener here, today.
After professional men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia put Malaysia 1-0 ahead following a 21-18-21-18 straight set win over Lee Cheuk Yiu, all eyes focus on how well Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh would perform when they stepped into the court at the Chengdu High-Tech Zone Sports Centre.
And both Jun Hao and Justin did not disappoint as they played their part to help Malaysia thrashed Hong Kong 5-0.
World number 37 Jun Hao, who confirmed the winning point for Malaysia, displayed a heroic act by upsetting world number 27 Angus Ng Ka Long, 17-21, 21-12, 21-15, believed that today’s result would lift their confidence to fight against higher-ranked players here.
“I just hope we will keep doing well and fighting to get a point for the team. For sure this win gave me a boost to play in upcoming matches because it was quite difficult to play against Angus just now,” he told Malaysian media in a post-match interview here.
After trailing in the first set, Jun Hao said that rousing support from his teammates really inspired him to stage a comeback which contributed the third point for the national team.
In the meantime, Justin, who survived a rubber set battle against Chan Yin Chak in 21-17, 19-21, 21-17, in the last match, admitted he felt pressure to win in his first major tournament in Chengdu.
The 20-year-old said he was also too hard on himself that led to him losing in the second set against Yin Chak.
Despite feeling pressure against Cheuk Yiu, Zii Jia said he finally managed to heave a huge sigh of relief to see off world number 15 player and delivered the maiden point for Malaysia against Hong Kong.
He also said a few tips given by his coach Wong Tat Meng, who used to train Cheuk Yiu before, worked wonders for him as he equalled the head-to-head record to 2-2 since both players first met in the Belgian International 2017.
Meanwhile, team captain Soh Wooi Yik hoped that they carry the winning momentum onto the next matches while Aaron is optimistic that victory over Hong Kong will open the door for Malaysia to become top two teams in the Group D and qualify to the last eight.
Aaron-Wooi Yik had earlier notched the second point for Malaysia after seeing off Law Cheuk Him-Yeung Shing Choi 21-16, 21-12 while second doubles, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani delivered the fourth point with 21-19, 21-18 over Reginald Lee-Tang Chun Man.
Five-time champion, Malaysia, can qualify to the last eight berth, provided they overcome minnows from North African region, Algeria in the second tie tomorrow before ending the Group D campaign against 2016 champion and European powerhouse, Denmark on Tuesday.
