Malaysia qualified for the Thomas Cup quarter-finals after notching their second win in Group C with a 4-1 win over Germany at the Siri Fort Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.
While World No 1 and Malaysia’s top singles player Datuk Lee Chong Wei and second ranked Chong Wei Feng delivered, skipper Daren Liew flopped once again which denied Malaysia a clean sweep for the second time.
Daren Liew suffered a straight set 20-22, 10-21 defeat to little known German Lukas Schmidt in 35 minutes. The Malaysian had also lost his match against RMV Gurusaidutt in Malaysia’s 4-1 win over India in their opening match on Sunday.
Wei Feng has been in fine form in New Delhi and this has boosted Malaysia’s confidence.
Chief coach Rashid Sidek is expected to discuss Daren’s poor run in New Delhi with the other coaches and decide if he will play against the South Koreans – a crucial tie which could decide Malaysia’s fate in the group.
A top place in Group C will assure Malaysia of an easier tie in the quarter-finals, Malaysi take on the Koreans in their final group match tomorrow.
Against the Germans World No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei made shortwork of Marc Zwiebler with a 21-14, 21-8 in 37 minutes.
In the first doubles Tan Boon Heong-Tan Wee Kiong beat Johannes Schoettler-Michael Fuchs 13-21, 21-17, 21-18 for Malaysia’s second point before Chong Wei Feng made it 3-0 with a 19-21, 22-20, 23-21 win over Dieter Domke 19-21, 22-20, 23-21.
Malaysia were 4-0 up after Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah outplayed Peter Kaesbauer-Josche Zurwonne 21-12, 21-18. V Shem had partnered Tan Wee Kiong against India.
Malaysia take on South Korea in their final group match which will decide the group champions and an easier draw in the quarter-finals.
