Malaysia in low key against China in Thomas Cup semis

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Guangzhou, China

Malaysia will have to carefully rethink its shuttlers doubles lineup when they challenge host China in the men's semifinals of the Thomas Cup on Thursday.

Relying heavily on the doubles to chalk two points, Malaysia found the Chinese doubles pair on top form on Tuesday, even though they were split from their regular partners.

"We expected to achieve at least two points from our two doubles matches against China, while trying to grab another in the singles," said Malaysia team's coach, Indra Gunawan, after beating Thailand 5-0 in their last match of Group B's qualifying round.

"The Chinese singles players are ranked the top three in the world, so it will be very difficult for us to gain one point from the singles.

"We will have to discuss it with our shuttlers before deciding the team's lineup," added Indra, who was born in Surakarta, Central Java and still holds Indonesian citizenship.

Indra, however, said the Malaysians were playing without any pressure and would do their best.

"The Chinese shuttlers are playing in front of a very loyal home crowd and are under huge pressure to win the Thomas Cup."

"As for my shuttlers, they will just do their best and play all out. We have no other choice," he added.

Malaysia finally managed to reach the semifinals after being ousted in the round robin two years ago before a home crowd in Kuala Lumpur. The country finished second after defending champion Indonesia in the group.

Malaysia eliminated Thailand and Germany with 5-0 cleansweep victory in both matches. It suffered its only defeat to Indonesia, losing 1-4.

World number one doubles pair Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Ming will be Malaysia's best hope to grab a point. Another hope will be senior partners Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah, whose world ranking has dropped, due to their absence in several tournaments following Lee's prolonged injuries.

In the singles, hopes are high that Malaysians Wong Choong Han, Ong Ewe Hock and Muhammad Hafiz Hashim can steal victory from one of the three singles matches. The country still has another option of deploying Lee Tsuen Seng and Muhammad Roslin Hashim.

Group A teams; China, Denmark, South Korea and Sweden may wish to avoid Indonesia, which has gained the record of winning 12 of the 21 titles at stake, in the semifinals.

Chinese head coach Li Yongbo said little on his hopes or strategy.

"I have been considering fielding new doubles combinations but I can't tell you who will pair whom," he said, as quoted by Indra.

Li refused to answer questions from foreign journalists and only spoke to the local media.

China will rely on its three strong singles of Xia Xuanze, Lin Dan and Bao Chunlai. They are both the world's top three shuttlers.

In the doubles, world number four Zhang Wei and Zhang Jun, number 11 Cheng Rui and Wang Wei are expected to overcome the Malaysian duos.

"It's going to be a tough and interesting match. Even if we have to lose, we are going to lose to a better team," said Indra.

Indonesia is set to face Denmark in the second semifinals match on Friday, a rematch of the 2000 Thomas Cup semis, when Indonesia defeated Denmark 3-2.