Malaysia to send youthful team for Thomas Cup challenge

Stumbling block: Malaysia will face a Kento Momota-led Japan in Group D of the Thomas Cup.

PETALING JAYA: A thrilling rematch of the 2014 Thomas Cup final is on the cards as Malaysia and Japan are set to clash in the group stage of the delayed world men’s team championship in Aarhus, Denmark, from Oct 9-17.

But none of the trio of Liew Daren, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong, all of whom were part of the squad that suffered a devastating defeat in New Delhi seven years ago, are likely to feature this time.This comes after national coaching director Wong Choong Hann stated that his priority will be to rebuild a youthful team around All-England champion Lee Zii Jia and Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik for the next Olympic cycle.