PETALING JAYA: Japan remain a dangerous side despite dropping out their most experienced player Kenta Nishimoto in their men’s singles line-up at the last minute ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals in Horsens, Denmark, from April 24-May 3.
The Japanese had no choice but to omit their second ranked player Nishimoto, who suffered a shoulder injury during last month’s Swiss Open, and bring in world No. 37 Yudai Okimoto as a replacement.
The old hand Nishimoto was expected to face Justin Hoh in the second singles, and on paper, the world No. 16 was expected to win.
Now, with the changes, Justin is expected to face world No. 19 Yushi Tanaka, which is equally challenging.
Their top player remains world No. 9 Kodai Tanaka who will face off Leong Jun Hao while they are expected to bank on Koki Watanabe at the third with either Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin or Lee Zii Jia.
National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen (pic) believes any player fielded by Japan will still pose a stern challenge to his charges.
“I think Japan are also looking beyond the group stage. The reason Nishimoto is not there is because he’s injured,” said Jonassen.
“I don’t recall Justin ever playing Nishimoto but now, the game plan will have to change.”
For Jonassen, Malaysia must focus on finding a way past these three players, all of whom are currently in strong form.
“I think Japan can, apart from (Kodai) Naraoka, field two players who are in good form. Watanabe reached the quarter-finals at the All-England, while Tanaka won the Swiss Open.
“So I don’t think it makes it any easier or has a bigger impact, but we have to focus on the opponents.
“As I said, a lot can happen between now and the day we play Japan. So let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he added.
However, Malaysia’s men’s doubles remain a strong source of potential points.
But it will not come easy as former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are set to face arch-rivals Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi, with the Japanese holding the psychological edge after winning nine of their 12 previous meetings.
For the second doubles, Malaysia could opt to rest Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and instead field Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani against Kakeru Kumagai-Hiroki Nishi, after the former world No. 1 pair defeated the Japanese duo in the opening round of the All-England in March.
Malaysia will take on Japan in Group B on April 29, in what is likely to be a decisive tie to determine the group winners.
The others in the group are England and Finland.
