Badminton

Thomas Cup: Malaysia book quarter-final spot

The national badminton squad booked a spot in the quarter-final of the Thomas Cup after dismantling Germany 5-0 in the second Group C match in Kunshan, China yesterday.

Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin was given the chance to feature against the European-based team after Goh Soon Huat was opted to play in place of him against England on Sunday.

Datuk Lee Chong Wei earned the first point for Malaysia against Kai Schaefer after the two-time Olympic Games silver medallist defeated the German 21-19, 21-15 in 40 minutes. Malaysia doubled their lead when Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong eased past Richard Domke-Fabian Holzer 21-12, 21-11 in less than half an hour at the Kunshan Sports Centre.

Photo Credit: Berita Harian
Photo Credit: Berita Harian

National champion Iskandar Zulkarnain destroyed world No. 147 Lars Schaenzler 21-7 in the first set before securing qualification to the next round with a 21-16 win in the second set. Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong redeemed themselves after losing to Peter Briggs and Tom Wolfenden on Sunday with a 21-15, 21-10 win over Mark Lamsfuss and Josche Zurwonne.

Chong Wei Feng defeated David Peng 21-9, 21-18 in the fifth and final match.

The other Group C match saw South Korea winning England 5-0 to stay on top of Group C.

Malaysia will face South Korea at 1.30pm today in the last group stage match.

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