Toughies: Denmark’s doubles pair of Kim Astrup (left) and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen could provide a difficult challenge for Malaysia when they clash in the Thomas Cup next month.
PETALING JAYA: Former men’s doubles shuttler Tan Boon Heong has backed the Malaysian badminton team to survive a tricky group in the Thomas Cup Finals.
Malaysia have been drawn to face Denmark, Hong Kong and Algeria in Group D in the team meet from April 27-May 5 in Chengdu.
The team need to beat either Denmark or Hong Kong to at the least finish in the top two in the group and qualify for the quarter-finals.
It is no easy task with the second seeded Danes boasting the likes of world No. 1 and No. 4 Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen in their ranks, as well as No. 4 doubles pair Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
Hong Kong also have capable singles players like Lee Cheuk Yiu (No. 14) and Angus Ng Ka Long (No. 26) in their ranks and are guided by former Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) singles coaching director Wong Choong Hann.
Boon Heong, though, believes that Malaysia will be able to overcome the challenge and reach the last eight.
“I think the Malaysian team can make it to the quarter-finals from this group,” said Boon Heong.
No easy meat: Hong Kong’s Angus Ng Ka Long will definitely be a stumbling block for Malaysia in the Thomas Cup.
“Honestly, it should not be a problem as the team just need to finish in the top two to progress.
“I also don’t think Choong Hann coaching the Hong Kong team will give them much advantage over Malaysia.”
Boon Heong is no stranger to the Thomas Cup and knows what it takes to go past the group stage and even progress deep into the tournament.
He was part of the team that came agonisingly close to capturing the title in 2014 before losing 2-3 to Japan in a thrilling final in New Delhi.
Boon Heong also helped the team win bronze four times in 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2016.
Malaysia have not reached the semi-finals since 2016.
In the last edition in 2022, the team went down 2-3 to eventual champions India in the last eight in Bangkok, Thailand.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky is set to name the Thomas Cup team next week.
