Malaysia cruise into Thomas Cup q-finals with second 5-0 win

Singles ace Lee Zii Jia on his way to a 21-8, 21-6 victory over Algeria’s Adel Hamek in a Thomas Cup Group D match. (Bernama pic)

CHENGDU, China: Malaysia cruised into the quarterfinals of the 2024 Thomas Cup competition after whipping Algeria 5-0 in their second Group D match here today.

The team will next face group leaders Denmark, who also won both their first two matches by 5-0 margins against Algeria and Hong Kong.

The national side made several changes, including fielding independent men’s singles player, Cheam June Wei and rising duo Choong Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal Nazri against Algeria, regarded as minnows in badminton.

Malaysia’s second singles, Leong Jun Hao, and doubles players Aaron Chia and Goh Szei Fei were rested while team captain Soh Wooi Yik partnered Nur Izzuddin Rumsani as the second doubles of the day.

All Malaysian players had relatively enjoyed an easy passage against their opponents.

Singles ace Lee Zii Jia barely lost any sweat when he gave Malaysia an early lead by thumping Adel Hamek 21-8, 21-6. He said the match served as a good warm up ahead of Wednesday’s final group fixture against 2016 champions Denmark.

“Considering that tomorrow will be an off day for us, I requested to be fielded in the match today, so that it can serve as a preparation when facing Denmark,” he told reporters.

In the second match, June Wei had no problem brushing aside Youcef Sabri Medel 21-9, 21-14 in 21 minutes to earn Malaysia’s second point.

The 27-year-old, who made his Thomas Cup debut in 2020, in Aarhus, Denmark, was elated to get a chance to play and prove his mettle in Chengdu.

He said team spirit was high following an outstanding 5-0 win against Hong Kong in the Group D opener yesterday.

Malaysia’s winning match came through Hon Jian-Muhammad Haikal, who had a stroll in the park as they took just 17-minutes to outpower hapless Sifeddine Larbaoui-Mohamed Abdelaziz Ouchefoun 21-8, 21-3.

Justin Hoh then claimed another easy scalp, defeating Mohamed Abderrahim Belarbi 21-10, 21-14 before the doubles pair of Nur Izzuddin Rumsani-Soh Wooi Yik wrapped up the night with a 21-13, 21-9 victory over Koceila Mammeri-Youcef Sabri Medel.

Tonight’s victory over Algeria keeps Malaysia in second place in Group D behind Denmark.