Malaysia made the cut into the quarter-finals of the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals here, thanks to their understrength squad’s 5-0 triumph over the US in the second Group D match today.
Despite the absence of top singles player, Lee Zii Jia, as well as number one doubles pair, Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who were rested today, Malaysia were equally lethal in trouncing the American team at the Impact Arena here.
Malaysia’s first singles player, Liew Daren, who made his first return to the Thomas Cup since the 2014 final match, posted a convincing first set victory against Enrico Asuncion 21-13.
The veteran shuttler then survived some nervy moments before successfully claiming the first point for the country with a 21-16 win in the second game.
“It was great to be back in the Thomas Cup after eight long years but I think I did not play well just now. It was always tough to go as the first singles.
“I hope this will be a good warm-up should I get a chance to play again against Japan in the last group match tomorrow,” he said after the match.
After beating Johnnie Torjussen 21-16, 19-21, 21-11 against England in the first group match yesterday, rising star Ng Tze Yong maintained his clean record by securing his second win in this tournament against Don Henley Averia.
Tze Yong, ranked 46th in the world, was truly in his element from start to finish to score the second point for Malaysia by ousting the world No. 307, 21-11, 21-9.
Another young player, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, who made his debut in the Thomas Cup after he was not given any minutes in the Aarhus edition last October, confirmed the winning point for Malaysia by getting past William Hu 21-16, 21-17 in just 30 minutes.
Aidil Sholeh, who was elated to make his first Thomas Cup appearance, admitted that he was struggling to get into rhythm, which saw him fight toe-to-toe with William and he vowed to do better if he plays against Japan tomorrow.
Scratch pair Chia Weijie-Goh Sze Fei did not have any problem subduing Adrian King-Sun Mar-Henry Tang 21-12, 21-8 for Malaysia’s fourth point.
It was a miserable return for Enrico, who formed a partnership with William, as they failed to ward off the challenge from 2021 World Championships bronze medallists Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi after the Malaysian pair wrapped up the tie in straight sets, 21-16, 21-8.
Malaysia will play Japan to determine the Group D champion while US will take on England tomorrow.