Former world number one Lee Chong Wei is the ace in the pack in the Malaysian team to this year’s Thomas Cup Finals which begin at Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
Malaysia is chasing a 26-year dream to regain the prestigious Thomas Cup – often described as the World Cup of badminton. The Malaysians last won the silverware on home turf in Kuala Lumpur in 1992.
Chong Wei himself is chasing the elusive Thomas Cup winner’s medal -just like the world championships and the Olympics. At the age of 36, the Penangite is playing his last Thomas Cup.
There is also Malaysia’s men’s singles head coach Misbun Sidek who has given broad hints and added “spice” to the challenge in Bangkok for the team to win the Thomas Cup before he retires.
Others in the singles department are Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, Lee Zii Jia and Asian junior champion Leong Jun Hao.
The doubles department has Malaysia’s top-ranked pair and Rio Olympics silver medallists Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong; Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik; and Teo Ee Yi-Arif Latif.
Malaysia is drawn in Group D in the Thomas Cup together with defending champions and European powerhouse Denmark, Russia and newcomers Algeria.
The Malaysians go into action on Monday and will face the Russians followed by Algeria on Tuesday before the group decider against the Danes on Wednesday. The top two in each group will advance to the knockout stage for a new draw for the quarter-finals.
“We need to be confident even as underdogs in Bangkok…but I must admit that Chong Wei is our trump card and is crucial to the team,” V Shem was quoted in local and foreign reports.
The doubles ace reminded that if Chong Wei wins the first point in a tie it will come with a “big, big boost” to the team. If it is otherwise it does not need an explanation.
“We may not be the favourite but it does not mean we are easy pushovers,” said V Shem, adding that there is enough motivation for the team to do well in Bangkok.
Malaysia’s target in the Thomas Cup is at least the semi-finals. – BY RIZAL ABDULLAH
