Pride at stake for Malaysia in must-win group tie against India
PETALING JAYA: Pride is at stake for Malaysia when they take on India in their final Group D tie of the Sudirman Cup in Nanning, China, today.
After being whipped 5-0 by 10-time champions China on Sunday, Malaysia must defeat India to stay on course for their third straight quarter-final appearance in the prestigious mixed team competition.
The last time Malaysia failed to make it past the group stage was in the 2013 edition in Kuala Lumpur.
But keeping themselves alive in the tournament is not the only motivation as Malaysia are aiming to restore their battered pride against India after surrendering their 12-year domination to them at last year’s Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Then, despite being the overwhelming favourites, Malaysia lost 1-3 in the final with Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Lee Chong Wei shockingly losing to Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Ashwini Ponnappa and K. Srikanth in the mixed doubles and men’s singles matches respectively.
Although Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong pulled a point back for Malaysia with a win over Satwiksairaj-Chirag Shetty, Saina Nehwal flexed her muscle to beat Soniia Cheah to seal the historic gold for India.
This time, skipper Goh Soon Huat, who was part of the silver-medal winning side last year, has called on his teammates to get things right.
“The defeat (to India) was a bitter pill to swallow,” said Soon Huat, who is expected to start with Shevon Lai Jemie in the mixed doubles match.
“It was not the result we wanted but I knew the team had given their best.
“But losing to them once doesn’t mean we will lose again. I have faith in this squad and we will rise to the occasion this time.”
Malaysia will have to tread with caution as India could try to turn the order of the tie to their favour by handing their doubles specialists Satwiksairaj and Ashwini a double duty.
This will ensure the men and women’s singles events played as the second and third in the order of play.
India are looking to snatch the two singles points as they have more depth and will be banking on Srikanth in the men’s singles and either P.V. Sindhu or Saina in the women’s singles.
Malaysia are expected to retain Lee Zii Jia and Soniia for their singles’ challenge.
The world No. 34 Soniia, who gave a spirited display before losing to Chen Yufei on Sunday should be given the nod ahead of the unfit Goh Jin Wei again.
India could start Satwiksairaj-Ashwini over higher-ranked Pranaav Jerry Chopra-N. Sikki Reddy in the mixed doubles as the former are still unbeaten against either Soon Huat-Shevon or Tan Kian Meng-Lai Pei Jing.
The men’s doubles clash could see Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik going up against Satwiksairaj-Chirag while the women’s doubles will most probably pit Chow Mei Kuan-Lee Meng Yean against Ashwini-N. Sikki Reddy.
Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann admitted that Malaysia should take all the three doubles points to stand a winning chance.
“Aaron-Wooi Yik fought well (in their match against Li Junhui-Liu Yuchen) before losing. I hope the experience served them well. We hope our doubles will deliver,” added Choong Hann.