The national badminton team went against all odds and topped Group C after a thrilling 3-2 win over South Korea in the Thomas Cup at the Kunshan Sports Centre earlier today.
The same men’s singles line-up that went against Germany yesterday featured in the last group match but Goh V Shem was partnered alongside Koo Kien Kieat whereas Tan Wee Kiong had the honour of teaming up with national doubles legend Tan Boon Heong.
Lee Chong Wei got Malaysia off to a good start after defeating Son Wan Ho 21-18, 21-15. The South Koreans then pulled one back through world No. 1 pair Lee Yong Dae-Yoo Yeon Seong after they defeated surprise pairing of Goh V Shem-Koo Kien Keat 21-16, 21-11.
Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin, who was excluded from the first group stage match against England, regained the lead when he brought down Lee Dong Keun 21-17, 21-15. However, Malaysia’s plan of switching up the pairs proved to be a failure after Tan Wee Kiong and Tan Boon Heong lost 14-21, 22-24 to Kim Gi Sung and Kim Ra Sung in just 38 minutes.
The deciding game between Chong Wei Feng and Jeon Hyeok Jin was a big one because the winner of this match would determine who tops Group C. The Kedah-born player, who decided to leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), showed Malaysia that he is still one of the best players in team competitions with a scoreline of 21-16, 21-16.
Malaysia will face one of the four second-placed teams after a draw has been carried out.
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