PETALING JAYA: Men’s doubles shuttlers Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (pic) have earned a spot in the Sudirman Cup for the first time and trust them to make full use of it.
World No. 2 Sze Fei-Izzuddin were selected in the provisional squad for the mixed team meet from April 27-May 5 in Xiamen, China, along with world No. 6 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 7).
The independent pair have surprisingly never been chosen for the team event before this despite being one of the country’s top pairs.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin’s strong form over the past few months though have made them impossible to ignore this time.
The duo captured the China Open, Japan Open, Arctic Open titles last year and continued their great run by winning the Indian Open in January.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin also finished runners-up in the Asian Championships and World Tour Finals last year and will be pushing for a starting spot in the Sudirman Cup.
In the absence of the injured world No. 8 Lee Zii Jia in the men’s singles, world No. 26 Jun Hao has been chosen as the main men’s singles player and will be joined by world No. 48 Justin Hoh.
The others included are Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa (women’s singles), Pearly Tan, M. Thinaah, Go Pei Kee, Carmen Ting (women’s doubles), Goh Soon Huat, Shevon Lai Jemie, Hoo Pang Ron, Cheng Su Yin, Chen Tang Jie, Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
Tang Jie-Ee Wei, however, will not be in the final list as they have been separated.
Malaysia have been placed in a tricky Group C along with Japan, France and Australia and need to finish in the top two to advance to the quarter-finals.
The team won bronze in the last two editions in 2021 in Vantaa, Finland, and 2023 in Suzhou, China.
Provisional team list
Men’s singles: Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh.
Women’s singles: Goh Jin Wei, K. Letshanaa.
Men’s doubles: Goh Sze Fei, Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Aaron Chia, Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong, Tee Kai Wun.
Women’s doubles: Pearly Tan, M. Thinaah, Go Pei Kee, Carmen Ting.
Mixed doubles: Goh Soon Huat, Shevon Lai Jemie, Hoo Pang Ron, Cheng Su Yin, Chen Tang Jie, Toh Ee Wei.
