Jun Hao stays solid to give M’sia 3-0 lead against Hong Kong
CHENGDU: Men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia gave Malaysia a great start against Hong Kong by beating Lee Cheuk Yiu 21-18, 21-18 in a Group D match in the Thomas Cup Finals on Saturday (April 27).
World No. 10 Zii Jia stayed cool in a tight match against world No. 15 Cheuk Yiu to come away with the impressive win in 45 minutes at the Hi-Tech Sports Center in Chengdu.
It was the 26-year-old’s second victory over Cheuk Yiu in four meetings in international tournaments.
Men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik then easily swept aside Hong Kong’s Law Cheuk Him-Yeung Shing Choi 21-16, 21-12 to give Malaysia a 2-0 lead.
Buoyed by his teammates’ wins, Leong Jun Hao brilliantly came from behind to give the team the third and winning point with a hard fought 17-21, 21-12, 21-15 victory over Angus Ng Ka Long in a thrilling match lasting 61 minutes.
There were anxious moments when world No. 37 Jun Hao dropped the opening game but he stepped up to control the second and third games in style to come away with the morale-boosting win over world No. 27 Angus.
It was their first meeting in the international stage and credit to Jun Hao for not caving under pressure.
With the win, Malaysia are as good as assured for a place in the quarter-finals.
Men’s doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani will next play Reginald Lee-Tang Chun Man in the second doubles while debutant Justin Hoh will take on Chan Yin Chak in the third singles. Their results do not really matter as Malaysia have already sealed their opening group game victory by taking the first three points.
The squad will play Algeria on Sunday and favourites Denmark on Tuesday. The top two teams in the group will advance to the quarter-finals.
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