Malaysia in low key against China in Thomas Cup semis

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.