Even with stars, Datuk Lee Chong Wei, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong rested, the Malaysians were simply too good for their opponents today.
After losing their opening match to Thailand yesterday, Malaysia’s next game against Chinese Taipei tomorrow will decide if they remain in the running or miss the quarterfinals.
In the opening singles tie, Lee Zii Jia wrapped up his opening match against Naing Phone Pyae in just 20 minutes, winning 21-3, 21-10.
Soong Joo Ven snatched doubled the score when he easily disposed of Aung Myo Htoo 21-9, 21-7 in 22 minutes.
Iskandar Zulkarnain sealed the victory with yet another lop-sided win. He swept past Chan Win Oo 21-10, 21-10.
In the first men’s doubles encounter of the match, Ong Yew Sin and Teo Ee Yi combined well and took 19 minutes to defeat Phone Myat Arkar-Toe Hein Si Thu 21-5, 21-5.
In the final tie of the evening, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin made it 5-0 after a 21-12, 21-9 win over Aung Myo Htoo Myo and Chan Win Oo.
Malaysia faces Chinese Taipei at 7pm tomorrow evening.
“The hope is still there and I believe that after the win today, it has put the team in a better frame of mind for the game against Chinese Taipei tomorrow,” added Zii Jia.
Meanwhile, in another men’s Group C match tonight, Chinese Taipei booked their place in the next round when they defeated Thailand 3-2 in a hard-fought battle. This was their second victory here following their opening day 5-0 win over Myanmar yesterday.
The Thais, who upstaged Malaysia the previous day, had a glorious start when Khosit Phetpradab overcame Wang Tzu Wei 21-19, 21-17.
Lee Jhe Huei and Lee Yang got together and levelled the score with a 21-16, 21-7 win over Kittinupong Kedren-Dechapol Puavaranukroh.
Hsu Jen Hao gave Chinese Taipei the lead when he out-played Kantaphon Wangcharoen 21-17, 21-16 in just under an hour.
Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han sealed the win for Chinese Taipei when he grabbed the third point after beating Tinn Isriyanet-Kittisak Namdash 21-15, 21-17.
In the fifth tie of the night, Thongnuam Pannawit gave Thailand their second point when he beat Lin Yu Hsien 21-18, 21-19.
