CHENGDU, May 3 – Malaysia stormed into the semi-finals of the 2024 Thomas Cup after sending 2014 champions Japan packing with a 3-1 win in a quarter-final match held at Chengdu High Tech-Zone Sports Centre, Chengdu, China.
The national side will meet China for a place in the final. China had earlier beaten India, also by a similar margin.
Malaysia’s winning point was secured by the second doubles pair of Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who beat Akira Koga-Taichi Saito in three games, 18-21, 21-15, 21-12.
Lee Zii Jia had given Malaysia a dream start when he overwhelmed Kenta Nishimoto 21-13, 21-3 in the opening match, but Japan made it 1-1 when Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi upset Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in three close games, 18-21, 21-14, 21-19.
Leong Jun Hao put Malaysia 2-1 ahead when he beat Koki Watanabe 21-13, 21-10, before Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin sealed the match for Malaysia.
Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh wrote: “Congratulations team Malaysia for going into the semi-finals”, and also uploaded a video clip of the Malaysian team celebrating their victory.
On social media, several sports fans praised the Malaysian shuttlers for their gutsy performance.
One, identified as Z, wrote “Congrats! Hard work paid off!”, while Yi Xin said the team did an amazing job.
“Tony Chia” wrote that he waited for eight years to see the Malaysian team go through to the semi-finals, while “Harraz Firdaus” said it has been a while since he felt this excited.
The last time Malaysia entered the last four was in the 2016 edition before they came up short to eventual champions Denmark 2-3 in Kunshan, China, Bernama reported.
The last time Malaysia won the Thomas Cup was in 1992.
