REVENGE FOR MALAYSIA
Chong Wei’s team thrash Germany in Sudirman Cup
AJITPAL SINGH ajitpalsingh@nst.com.my
MALAYSIA cleared their first hurdle in the Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia, yesterday. The Lee Chong Wei-led team avenged their defeat to Germany in the 2013 edition in Kuala Lumpur by hammering the European side 5-0 in a Group 1C tie to advance to the quarter-finals.
The Malaysians must beat favourites Japan today to top the group for an easier last eight draw.
Malaysia have set a semi-final target.
World No 1 Lee Chong Wei wants his teammates to display their true abilities when they take on Japan.
“Today, we got a feel of the venue and managed to beat Germany.
“It has given us confidence but we need to remain focused as the real battle is tomorrow,” said Chong Wei yesterday.
Japan’s top shuttlers will be fresh today as they fielded mostly their fringe players in the 4-1 win over Germany on Sunday.
Yesterday, World No 11 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing earned Malaysia’s first point by overcoming Mark Lamsfuss-Isabel Herttrich 21-17, 21-13 in the opening mixed doubles match before Chong Wei thrashed Fabian Roth 21-12, 21-11 in the men’s singles for the second point.
World No 4 Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong then gave Malaysia an unassailable 3-0 lead with a 21-16, 21-19 win over Jones JansenJosche Zurwonne in the men’s doubles.
Former world junior champion Goh Jin Wei hardly broke a sweat in the 21-10, 21-13 victory over Fabienne Deprez in the women’s singles before Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo completed the rout by thrashing Johanna GoliszewskiIsabel 21-12, 21-11 in the doubles.
“Everything went well today for me and Kian Meng. We withstood the pressure and also managed to focus on every point,” said Pei Jing.
Malaysia may put up a scratch pairing in the mixed doubles today with Pei Jing likely to partner Chan Peng Soon.