BREAKING NEWS! Malaysia lose to Japan 2-3 in the just concluded Group B match.
Malaysia’s quest in the Thomas Cup seems to be a bit shaky when they lost to the underdog team from Japan.
Malaysia gained the first 2 points through Datuk Lee Chong Wei and doubles Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong.
Chong Wei scores 21-12, 21-13 while Kien Keat/Boon Heong scores 21-13/21-17.
Then Malaysia crashed down, tamed by the Japanese for the next 3 games.
Wong Choon Hann who expected to get a winning point to Malaysia in the group match lost 17-21, 18-21. His game was slow and he made a lot of careless mistakes.
Hope and pressure were high on the fourth game when Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari in action. But they too were kicked off by a more aggressive pair from Japanese with the score 15-21, 12-21.
Hafiz Hashim, the third single player who played in the fifth match failed to won the match point for Malaysia.
Despite having the advantage of the homeground support, height, experience and skills, the world ranking 22 lose to world ranking 214 player by 10-21, 21-14, 18-21.
It is indeed a sad, dissappointing and humiliating day for Malaysia's badminton team. Too many mistakes made in the last 3 games.
Japan not supposed to be a threat to Malaysia based on the paper and analysis by the coaches.
Anyway the good news is Malaysia still qualified to quarter-finals.
Just hope that Malaysia can make a miracle in the quarter-finals and hopefully the fresh draw won’t put Malaysia and China in the same group.
