Malaysia have nothing to lose in fight against Japan
odds are stacked against them, but Malaysia have nothing to lose as they take on favourites Japan in the quarter-finals of the Sudirman Cup today.
Captain Goh Soon Huat believes his team are in high spirits following the come-from-behind victory over India (3-2) in the group stage on Tuesday.
“It doesn't matter who we are up against. I believe the team are ready to fight until the end,” said the 29-year-old, who makes up the World No 13 mixed doubles with Shevon Lai.
However, it is still uncertain whether Soon Huat-Shevon will take to court as World No 19 Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing have got a perfect head-to-head record over Japan's World No 3 Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino.
There is also a possibility for the mixed doubles match to not be played as ties are considered over once a team secure three wins.
Japan, who have at least one top-five representative in every discipline, will unlikely take the tie lightly as they nearly lost to Russia in a group match by resting their regulars.
In the nail-biting 3-2 win over Russia, they rested World No 1 Kento Momota (men’s singles), Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda (men’s doubles) and Mayu Matsumoto-Wakana Nagahara (women’s doubles).
“My job is to motivate my teammates and also to remind them to go on court with confidence against Japan.
“With the support of our fans, we will give our best,” Soon Huat added.
Malaysia's best outing since the tournament's inception in 1989 was reaching the semi-finals in 2009 in Guangzhou.