PETALING JAYA: Malaysia may have already booked their spot in the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals, but men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik still have unfinished business when they face Japan in today’s Group C decider.
The newly minted Asian champions are eager to help Malaysia complete a clean sweep in the group stage, but more importantly, they are aiming to end a long-standing jinx against Japan’s Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi.
The Japanese world champions have long been a thorn in Aaron-Wooi Yik’s side.
The Malaysians have lost eight of their last 10 meetings, with their most recent win coming four years ago, ironically at the 2021 edition of the Sudirman Cup in Vantaa, Finland.
Fresh from a commanding win over Australia’s Jack Yu-Frederick Zhao, Aaron-Wooi Yik are primed for a sterner test and ready to step up if selected.
“It’s important for us to play against Japan. We’ll be giving our best to help the team finish top of the group,” said Aaron.
That said, the coaching team has other strong options at their disposal. Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani recently stunned Hoki-Kobayashi at the Asian Championships in Ningbo, while Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are waiting in the wings for their first appearance.
“I have no issues with whoever gets the nod. All three pairs are capable of pushing Japan. Even Wei Chong-Kai Wun have what it takes to pressure them,” said Aaron.
“Our strength is in the men’s doubles. We brought three strong pairs, and we need to capitalise on this especially in the men’s and mixed doubles.”
In the mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei could be given the responsibility. The reunited pair have a solid record against world No. 9 Hiroki Midorikawa-Natsu Saito, whom they beat in the Malaysian Open quarter-finals in January.
The coaches could also opt to field Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin, who have yet to see action in the Sudirman Cup, against the Japanese pair. The two duos are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head meetings.
Another option is Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie. While the husband and wife pair have lost five of their seven meetings against Midorikawa-Saito, they remain a credible point contributor after scoring back-to-back wins over the Japanese pair at the Kumamoto Masters in November and the World Tour Finals in December.
The biggest challenge, however, is likely to fall on Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah should they be selected to face world No. 2 Chiharu Shida-Nami Matsuyama in the women’s doubles.
The Japanese pair have dominated past meetings, with Pearly-Thinaah managing just one win from 13 encounters.
Their most recent defeat came at the All-England in March.
Given the overall head-to-head statistics across all five disciplines, Wooi Yik expects a tight battle, but believes belief and confidence will be key.
“It’s a 50-50 tie. Japan have a strong team, but we have to trust ourselves. Our team spirit is solid, and we must have confidence in each other the moment we step on court,” said Wooi Yik.
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