The national men’s badminton squad began their Thomas Cup on a positive note after defeating England 4-1 in Group C at the Kunshan Sports Centre in Kunshan, China yesterday.
There was a surprise exclusion of national champion Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin from squad as Goh Soon Huat was opted to play instead. Datuk Lee Chong Wei and Chong Wei Feng were the other obvious choices for the men’s singles event whereas Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong as well as Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong were given the green light to play.
Lee Chong Wei got Malaysia off to a comfortable start after defeating world No. 103 Toby Penty 21-15, 21-11 in only 34 minutes. Shortly after, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong earned the second point for Malaysia after disposing Marcus Ellis-Chris Langridge 21-12, 21-17.
Malaysia secured the win when Chong Wei Feng swept aside Sam Parsons 21-10, 21-10 in 34 minutes as well. However, the doubles pairing of Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong failed to achieve a perfect game for their country after falling out to Peter Briggs and Tom Wolfenden 18-21, 21-13, 17-21 in the fourth game of the Thomas Cup group stage match.
Goh Soon Huat nearly spent an hour bringing down Alex Lane 21-15, 19-21, 21-13.
In the other Group C match, South Korea defeated Germany 5-0 to top the group.
Malaysia will face Germany at 1.30pm today in their second Thomas Cup match.
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