It is “do or die” for Malaysia when they drew fancied China in the quarter-final knockout stage of the Sudirman Cup this evening.
Japan, who topped Group C in the round-robin matches with Malaysia finishing second, drew what is seemingly an easier encounter with Taiwan in another quarter-final clash.
The other quarter-final matches will feature Denmark against South Korea, and Thailand against Indonesia.
Malaysia, who won the bronze medal in the tournament after losing 1-3 to South Korea in the semi-finals in 2023, will have to put up their best against the Chinese side, who have emerged champions 13 times.
Local badminton fans will be hoping that Malaysia’s world-class pairs in the men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles will be able to clinch the three points to put Malaysia in the semi-finals.
Malaysia’s 20-member squad include Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani (men’s doubles), Pearly Tan-M Thinaah (women’s doubles) and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Jemie Lai and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
