KUCHING: Team Malaysia are eyeing a breakthrough in Thursday’s (May 1) Sudirman Cup match against Japan, hoping either the men’s singles or women’s doubles can help them snap a 20-year winless streak against their perennial rivals.
The Group C clash in Xiamen marks the 11th time the two teams have come to blows in the mixed team world championship since 1989.
Malaysia’s only victories came in 2003 and 2005.
With the tie expected to go down to the wire, securing three points is critical – and officials believe men’s doubles and mixed doubles are the most likely to deliver.
In men’s doubles, world No. 2 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin are expected to start over reigning Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, based on their recent straight-games win over Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi in Ningbo.
Aaron and Wooi Yik have only beaten the Japanese pair twice in 10 meetings.
The mixed doubles also appears to favour Malaysia, with Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei holding a 4-2 advantage over Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito.
Their backup pair, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai, have struggled against the same opponents.
Japan, however, hold a clear edge in women’s singles, where world No. 4 Akane Yamaguchi or No. 8 Tomoka Miyazaki are expected to overpower Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei (world No. 43).
This puts added pressure on either world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao or the women’s doubles pair, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, to deliver a crucial third point.
With Lee Zii Jia sidelined by injury, Jun Hao’s solid 4-1 head-to-head record against Japan’s Kodai Naraoka provides a glimmer of hope.
Pearly-Thinaah, however, face a daunting task against world No. 2 Chiharu Shida–Nami Matsuyama, with only one win in 13 attempts.
Doubles director, Rexy Mainaky, remains optimistic, saying the doubles ties “could go either way”, while singles head, Kenneth Jonassen, emphasised adaptability and composure: “It’s about executing our game plan and adjusting when necessary.”
Malaysia currently sit second in the group standings with a 9-1 tally whereas the Land of the Rising Sun are at a solid 10-0 lead after unleashing an all-kill in their matches – with both teams guaranteed to be in the quarter-finals draw.
