PETALING JAYA: Will Japan deploy a tactical ploy against Malaysia in their final Group B tie at the Thomas Cup today?
Instead of fielding world No. 9 Kodai Naraoka (pic) to face Malaysia’s world No. 25 Leong Jun Hao, the Japanese team could possibly field world No. 19 Yushi Tanaka instead, which on paper, would favour the Japanese squad.
While both Japan and Malaysia have already secured their spots in the quarter-finals in Horsens, the goal is to become the group winners as it will help them avoid seeded teams in the knockout stage.
Tanaka has a better record against Jun Hao as the Japanese player has not lost in both their previous encounters.
Their recent clash is surely fresh in Tanaka’s mind as it came at the Indian Open in January.
In contrast, Japan’s first singles choice in world No. 9 Kodai Naraoka has fallen four out of five times against Jun Hao.
The 26-year-old Tanaka, who had trained with former two-time world champion Kento Momota and Sho Sasaki, has already gotten a win under his belt in Horsens, beating England’s Harry Huang on Monday in Japan’s 5-0 win.
Tanaka admitted that it would not be easy to take on Malaysia, but they are determined to come out on top of the match and the group.
“Malaysia is a strong team, and a good team. We have to do whatever we can.
“That way, we may have a good chance.
“We’ll do everything to win,” he said.
In their last encounter, Malaysia knocked Japan out in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory in Chengdu, China, two years ago.
