Japan expected to give Malaysia good stretch in Group B tie
News 10:03 AM
THE closest battle between Malaysia and Japan in a Thomas Cup tie is on the cards at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil today.
And Malaysia will have to field their best line-up for the task. On paper, Malaysia should claim victory to advance to the quarter-finals as Group B winners. But Japan have improved so much in both the singles and doubles that it will be a grave mistake for Malaysia to think that it will be a stroll in the park.
It can be a blow to Malaysia if they drop a point in the singles because traditionally, they have been superior against Japan in this department.
Playing it safe: Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei gets a rub-down from his coach Misbun Sidek and another official after a training session at the Putra Stadium yesterday morning. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei will spearhead the onslaught for Malaysia against Kenichi Tago and he is well aware that he cannot afford to muff it up.
And the Malaysian skipper has vowed to keep intact his unbeaten run against Tago. Chong Wei was the winner over the Japanese in three previous meetings but the last one at the All-England final in Birmingham was a very tough one.
“We hope to maintain our good record against Japan in the Finals. All the singles players are raring to go,” said Chong Wei after a training session at the Putra Stadium early yesterday morning.
Veteran Wong Choong Hann and Mohd Hafiz Hashim are expected to have tough matches against Kazushi Yamada and Shoji Sato respectively.
National singles coach Misbun Sidek hoped that the singles players would deliver the goods.
“It is our goal to be the group winners. A win over Japan will give the team confidence going into the quarter-finals,” said Misbun.
“Japan have done well in the doubles but now, we have to end their growing confidence in the singles. We cannot take them lightly and we can expect strong challenges from them,” he said.
“Tago is getting better and better in reading Chong Wei's game. And Chong Wei has to be very well prepared for it.”
It will be even more challenging for Malaysia in the doubles. Japan have three pairs of equal standard and anyone of them can give the Malaysians a run for their money.
And national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky said that Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Ong Soon Hock and Hoon Thien How were ready to deal with a “tsunami”.
“On paper, we have the better pairs but it is also about who is able to stay steady and composed on the court tomorrow,” said Rexy.
“The Japanese doubles players have beaten our players and we know of their growing strength. On a good day, they can beat anyone.
“The win is not about maintaining our pride in the doubles department. It is not right to put pressure on the players like that. I just want them to go out there and give their best.”
A the last Finals in Jakarta two years ago, Malaysia beat Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Irrespective of the result tonight, Malaysia and Japan are through to the quarter-finals. There will be a fresh draw for the knockout stage after the completion of the group ties tonight and there is a possibility of Malaysia and Japan meeting for a second time.
And Malaysia will have to field their best line-up for the task. On paper, Malaysia should claim victory to advance to the quarter-finals as Group B winners. But Japan have improved so much in both the singles and doubles that it will be a grave mistake for Malaysia to think that it will be a stroll in the park.
It can be a blow to Malaysia if they drop a point in the singles because traditionally, they have been superior against Japan in this department.
Playing it safe: Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei gets a rub-down from his coach Misbun Sidek and another official after a training session at the Putra Stadium yesterday morning. And the Malaysian skipper has vowed to keep intact his unbeaten run against Tago. Chong Wei was the winner over the Japanese in three previous meetings but the last one at the All-England final in Birmingham was a very tough one.
“We hope to maintain our good record against Japan in the Finals. All the singles players are raring to go,” said Chong Wei after a training session at the Putra Stadium early yesterday morning.
Veteran Wong Choong Hann and Mohd Hafiz Hashim are expected to have tough matches against Kazushi Yamada and Shoji Sato respectively.
National singles coach Misbun Sidek hoped that the singles players would deliver the goods.
“It is our goal to be the group winners. A win over Japan will give the team confidence going into the quarter-finals,” said Misbun.
“Japan have done well in the doubles but now, we have to end their growing confidence in the singles. We cannot take them lightly and we can expect strong challenges from them,” he said.
“Tago is getting better and better in reading Chong Wei's game. And Chong Wei has to be very well prepared for it.”
It will be even more challenging for Malaysia in the doubles. Japan have three pairs of equal standard and anyone of them can give the Malaysians a run for their money.
And national doubles chief coach Rexy Mainaky said that Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif and Ong Soon Hock and Hoon Thien How were ready to deal with a “tsunami”.
“On paper, we have the better pairs but it is also about who is able to stay steady and composed on the court tomorrow,” said Rexy.
“The Japanese doubles players have beaten our players and we know of their growing strength. On a good day, they can beat anyone.
“The win is not about maintaining our pride in the doubles department. It is not right to put pressure on the players like that. I just want them to go out there and give their best.”
A the last Finals in Jakarta two years ago, Malaysia beat Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
Irrespective of the result tonight, Malaysia and Japan are through to the quarter-finals. There will be a fresh draw for the knockout stage after the completion of the group ties tonight and there is a possibility of Malaysia and Japan meeting for a second time.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 10:03 AM.
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