PETALING JAYA: Favourites do not always win, and underdogs should never be written off.
Former national men’s singles coach Datuk Misbun Sidek has backed Malaysia’s current Thomas Cup squad, particularly the men’s singles players, saying they are not as weak as some have suggested ahead of the tournament starting today in Horsens, Denmark.
Misbun said teams that appear strong on paper are not guaranteed the title, while those seen as underdogs should not be written off.
He pointed to the 1992 edition in Kuala Lumpur, the last time Malaysia lifted the Thomas Cup.
In the semi-finals, Rashid Sidek, who had never beaten then world No. 1 Zhao Jianhua, stunned the Chinese star 17-15, 10-15, 15-12 to deliver the opening point.
Malaysia went on to upset China 3-2 to reach the final before eventually winning the title.
Malaysia have also produced memorable upsets in later editions despite falling short of the crown, including a 3-1 victory over China in front of their home fans in the 2002 semi-finals in Guangzhou.
As such, Misbun believes it is too soon to count Malaysia out simply because of doubts over the current men’s singles line-up.
“In the 1992 Thomas Cup, we had Foo Kok Keong and Rashid. We were underdogs and even we did not know what could happen then. So now, we cannot say this current line-up has no chance.
“For me, it is all about preparation. How do we prepare them to carry the responsibility as first singles, second singles and third singles?
“This is the line-up we have.
‘‘If this is the team we have, then we must respect it and accept it,” said Misbun.
For this year’s campaign, Malaysia have named four men’s singles players led by world No. 25 Leong Jun Hao, Justin Hoh (No. 44), Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (No. 46) and Lee Zii Jia (No. 82).
However, all four have struggled for form in recent months.
They will be backed by three men’s doubles pairs, namely Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Malaysia will open their Group B campaign against England tomorrow.
