Former national shuttler and member of the 1992 Thomas Cup winning squad, Foo Kok Keong believes that Malaysia has the quality and talent to bring the Cup back.
Four years is a long time in sports, and as Kok Keong says, Malaysia may be able to challenge for the coveted trophy in 2024.
But how would Malaysia fare against their rivals based on the current form and ranking? The next Thomas Cup would be held in Aarhus, Denmark from May 16-24.
If the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) were to pick players based on the current world rankings, Malaysia would hardly be able to challenge the top teams in Denmark.
Based on the current rankings, the top three men’s singles players would be Lee Zii Jia at number 14, independent player Liew Daren at number 30 and Soong Joo Ven, ranked 60.
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik (8) and Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong would be the top two doubles pairs.
Using current ranking as a guide in picking players for the other teams, we can make a comparison on what lies ahead for the Malaysian squad.
INDONESIA
Malaysia were beaten 1-3 by the Indonesians for the team gold at the Manila SEA Games recently and it does not look that they would do any better against a full strength Indonesian side.
A 0-5 defeat is in the offing with almost all the Malaysians having poor record against their possible rivals with the exception of Soong Joo Ven. Joo Ven has not met Sheshar Hiren Rhuistavito before but based on recent results, the Indonesian would still have the edge.
JAPAN
It could be another whitewash for Malaysia, with the Japanese led by world champion Kento Momota looking imperious.
But, unlike the Indonesians, the Japanese do have their weakness. Malaysia may be able to steal a point or two.
Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong are ranked lower than their Japanese rivals. But in three previous meetings they have beaten the Japanese number two doubles pair Hiroyuki Endo-Yuta Watanabe.
Liew Daren also has an even track record against Kanata Tsuneyama, having won twice in their previous four meetings.
Even if Malaysia wins both matches, two points is not enough in a best of five tie.
CHINA
Unlike the Indonesians and the Japanese, China’s reliance in the singles would be in their veteran players including Chen Long and Lin Dan.
Having Lin Dan at third singles, would the trumpcard for the Chinese as his experience would be instrumental is things go south in any of their previous matches.
Malaysia’s best chance of stealing a point in the tie would once again be at the hands of v Shem-Wee Kiong. The duo hold a 2-0 head-to-head results against Han Cheng Kai-Zhou Hao Dong in the second doubles.
A 1-4 defeat is the likely outcome.
CHINESE TAIPEI
Chinese Taipei are a team that have slowly but surely moved up the rankings and even boast the services of the current world number singles player in Chou Tien Chien.
Based on current rankings, they are expected to beat the Malaysians 4-1, with who else but V Shem-Wee Kiong giving Malaysia the solitary point.
However, the third singles match between Soong Joo Ven and Lin Yu Hsien could go either way. Currently Yu Hsien is ranked just two rungs higher than Joo Ven, at 58. They have met twice before and have an even record against each other. If Joo Ven delivers, than the score would be closer at 3-2, but still in favour of the Taiwanese.
DENMARK
The top Europeans, Denmark, would once again be relying on their singles power to pull them through. The Danes are marginally weaker in the doubles, with the Malaysians expected to sweep the points.
However, in Anders Antonsen, Viktor Axelsson and Rasmus Gemke, they have enough firepower in the men’s singles to clinch them the tie. They can even bring in Hans-Christian Vittinghus (25) and the experienced Jan O Jorgensen (26) to give them extra depth in the singles.
INDIA
Based on rankings, India should be able to hand Malaysia a 3-2 defeat. But the Indian players have had problems playing against the Malaysian rivals in the past.
Like against the Danes, Malaysia should be able to win both the doubles. But all three singles could go either way.
Malaysia need to steal just one singles to ensure themselves a victory and their best chance is with Liew Daren. The Malaysian number two, who despite being ranked only 30 compared to the 12th ranked Kidambi Srikanth, holds a better record playing the Indian player. He had beaten his rival in all three of their previous meetings.
Zii Jia has never played Sai Praneeth before as is the case with with Joo Ven and Parupalli Kashyap.
THAILAND
The tie between Thailand and Malaysia could go either way although on paper, the Thais are favoured to edge 3-2 ahead.
This would be another tie that would be decided entirely on whether Malaysia can steal a point in the singles.
Zii Jia has beaten Kanthapon Wangcharoen in two of their last four meetings and should he win the first, the tie would almost certainly go to Malaysia. Even if Zii Jia fails, they have another chance with another close encounter between Liew Daren and Sitthikom Thammasin.
ON the assumption that the first two singles goes according to the current rankings, Joo Ven has the capability to upstage Khosit Phetradab in the third singles. The 36th ranked Thai player has a poor record of 2-4 against Joo Ven in previous meetings.
KOREA
Of all the teams, Malaysia’s easiest tie would be against once powerful Korea. Based on the current rankings, Malaysia should take the tie 4-1 with the only loss coming against Korean veteran Shon Wan Ho in the third singles.
However, the Koreans can still surprise if they can take the first doubles. Choi Sol Gyu-Seo Seung Jae, have beaten Aaron-Wooi Yik twice in three previous meetings and are fully capable of improving on the record.
That would put the pressure on the Malaysians, who may look vulnerable in the second singles with Lee Dong Keun taking on an inconsistent Liew Daren in the second singles.
Based on the players’ rankings, Indonesia are favoured to walk away with the Thomas Cup for the 14th time with Japan finishing second. China and Chinese Taipei are expected to make up the top four with Denmark as the darkhorses.
Best are the Thomas Cup would be contested between Indonesia, Japan and China. But, the Thomas Cup has always thrown in surprises in the past and much would depend in the groupings as well as the knockout draws.
However, it would be a major surprise if Malaysia were to come anywhere close to winning the title they last won in 1992.
A majority of the teams have younger players leading the charge in 2020 and many of their stalwarts are expected to be around at least for the next four years.
Malaysia, while are not expected to make much of a dent on their top teams in 2020 would also need to up their game over the next four years to be serious contenders in Bangkok in two-year’s time or even in China in 2024.
About Post Author
