PETALING JAYA: With less than three months to go for the Thomas Cup Finals, singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has a tricky task to come up with the best line-up for Malaysia.
But the Dane is game for it.
The Thomas Cup Finals will be held from April 24-May 3 in Horsens, Denmark and naming the best singles side can make a difference.
The Asia Team Championships that ended on Sunday, has given Jonassen an idea on what to expect at the Finals and he knows it not going to be easy.
“The strongest possible lineup is needed if we are to be within a chance of having success at this championship,” said Jonassen.
While champions Japan and runners-up China excelled in the meet in Qingdao with their back-up players, Malaysia’s Justin Hoh and Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin struggled.
The team went down 2-3 to Indonesia in the group stage and suffered a 0-3 defeat to Japan in the last eight.
Malaysia have limited choices in the singles and they have none in the top 20 as the top three are world No. 26 Leong Jun Hao, Justin (39) and Aidil (49).
They have better depth in the doubles with world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 6) and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (No. 8), who did not compete at the Asia meet.
Former national No. 1 and professional shuttler Lee Zii Jia could be a good option as the third singles but there are question marks over his fitness and his availability to play.
Jonassen said he has many factors to consider in choosing his line up.
“I will of course consider all factors when we are talking about the Thomas Cup Finals,” said Jonassen.
“Young players can be considered if they can play an active role as a joker or ace in the line up but it’s also important to have variety in the team which can give us the edge of surprise.
“We have to prepare specifically for certain opponents or countries.”
Zii Jia has done well to work himself up to No. 63 in the latest rankings from No. 144 after making a comeback this year following an injury-riddled 2025.
The 27-year-old though retired during his quarter-final match against Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in the Thailand Masters at the end of last month, raising concerns over his ability to stay fit during tournaments.
Can BAM afford to rely on Zii Jia in the Thomas Cup Finals?
The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist himself has said that he will only be able to compete in the prestigious team meet if he returns to his best version.
The other option available to Jonassen are youngsters Eogene Ewe and Kong Wei Xiang.
Eogene, 19 is currently ranked No. 87 in the world while Wei Xiang, 17 has a ranking of No. 343 and is a national Under-18 and Under-21 champion but lacks experience in senior international events.
Wei Xiang, however, made up for his lack of experience with spirited showing in his first big senior event at the Asia meet.
