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.
“It’s not 100% certain for now, but I would say it’s highly unlikely,” said Choong Hann, when asked if the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) plan to call up seasoned campaigners from outside the national squad for the Finals, including the Uber Cup.
“They have not been training for the past few months (due to National Recovery Plan restrictions).
“While our men’s singles depth is vulnerable, I don’t think recalling Daren would turn the team into a mighty one either.
“We would have to look at the perspective of a new Olympic cycle. Our main agenda is to groom young players.
“We have to be realistic too. Do we have the chance and capability to fight for the trophy?
“If we’re serious in building the next generation of players after Zii Jia (emergence), we have to start right now and be daring.
“We would like to push the young ones to the front line so that they can take the headwind.
“That’s what BAM have previously done with Zii Jia by throwing him into the Asia Men’s Team Championship (in early 2018) and we’re reaping the rewards now.
“There are two ways to build leaders. Some have these qualities in them since young, while some you need to throw them into the sea and get them to swim.
“That’s the only way to build responsibility.”
The Zii Jia-led young side are expected to take on a formidable Japanese side for the battle to top Group D which also consist of England and Canada.
Japan’s line-up should include world No. 1 Kento Momota and their powerful men’s doubles pairs – Yuta Watanabe-Hiroyuki Endo and Keigo Sonoda-Takeshi Kamura, the world No. 5 and No. 6.
Momota, Endo, Sonoda and Kamura were all part of the team that helped Japan lift their first ever Thomas Cup in 2014 with a 3-2 win over Malaysia.
At the previous Finals in 2018, Malaysia could only reach the quarter-finals after losing 3-1 to Indonesia.
In the Uber Cup Finals, the women will have to produce something special if they are to get past the group stage for the first time since 2010.
They have been drawn in Group D with 14-time winners China, Denmark and Canada.
A fresh draw for the knockout stage will be done upon completion of the group stage.
THOMAS CUP
Group A: Indonesia, Taiwan, Algeria, Thailand.
Group B: Denmark, South Korea, France, Germany.
Group C: China, India, Netherlands, Tahiti.
Group D: Japan, Malaysia, Canada, England.
■ UBER CUP
Group A: Japan, Indonesia, Germany, France.
Group B: Thailand, India, Spain, Scotland.
Group C: South Korea, Taiwan, Tahiti, Egypt.
Group D: China, Denmark, Malaysia, Canada.
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