Still plenty to play for

Malaysia get another chance to turn the tables on Japan

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have been given a quick chance at redemption in the Sudirman Cup in Gold Coast, Australia.

Malaysia failed to emerge as group champions after going down 3-2 to Japan in Group C at the Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre yesterday.

But, as fate would have it, the two teams have been drawn to meet again in the quarter-finals.

“We fought hard ... we knew it all depended on the men’s doubles but it did not turn out the way we wanted,” said Badminton Association of Malaysia ( BAM) technical director Morten Frost.

“Overall, it was good and I believe we have a good chance in the quarter-finals if we step up.”

It was all over for Indonesia despite their 3-2 win over Denmark in Group D yesterday. They had to beat Denmark by a bigger margin to qualify after their shock loss to India on Tuesday.

In the quarter-finals, Group D champions Denmark will face Thailand while India will meet China.

If Malaysia beat Japan they will play the top seed China.

Our shuttlers take on Japan tomorrow.

In the tie against Japan yesterday, Malaysia’s world No. 4 men’s doubles pair V Shem-Wee Kiong went down fighting 21-18, 17-21, 16-21 to Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda.

Goh Jin Wei, the 2015 world junior champion, had a disastrous opening game against Akane Yamaguchi. Although Jin Wei gave a better showing in the second game, it was still not enough for her to lose 6-21, 17-21.

World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei restored order when he blew away Yu Igarashi 21-8, 21-5 in just 34 minutes.

It was then up to Chow Mei KuanLee Meng Yean, who were fielded instead of Woon Khe Wei-Vivian Hoo, to stop world No. 1 Misaki Matsutomo-Ayaka Takahashi and keep Malaysia’s challenge alive.

Though they put up a good fight, the Olympic champions prevailed 21-17 21-18.

But the show stealers yesterday were national No. 2 mixed doubles pair Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.

Although it was dead rubber, the Malaysian put up a fantastic show to beat Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino 21-16, 16-21, 21-19.

While trailing 11-15 in the second game, Kian Meng’s racquet snapped. He threw it out, grabbed Pei Jing’s and his partner ran out to get a new racquet.

“I’ve played singles before and I knew I could cover the court alone ... so I stayed on with Pei Jing’s racquet while she ran out. We won that point and that gave us a lot of confidence,” said Kian Meng.

Said Pei Jing: “We played well and enjoyed the match. We hope to keep the momentum going in the quarter-finals today.”