Chengdu: The Malaysian Thomas Cup team was drawn to meet Japan in the 2024 Thomas Cup Finals quarter-final action after a draw ceremony held in Chengdu, China Wednesday evening.
One of the most important questions for badminton fans is whether this will be the legendary Kento Momota’s last international match.
Unless the Japanese team moves Momota to the second men’s singles spot, in order to see Momota play, the tie between Malaysia would need to go down to the wire, which is the third men’s singles as Momota is in the third men’s singles for the Japanese team.
If Malaysia wins the tie by 3-0 or 3-1, the match between Kento Momota and Lee Chia Hao of Chinese Taipei in their last Group B tie would become his final appearance.
If Japan beats Malaysia, the fans could possibly get another chance to see Momota in action in the semi-finals, and of course, that would be in the third men’s singles unless Japan moves him up to the second men’s singles spot.
Highlights of Kento Momota vs. Lee Chia Hao in the 2024 Thomas Cup Group D tie:
In the draw ceremony, the 14-time champion Indonesia, leading Group C, was drawn to meet the runner-up of Group A, South Korea, while the host China (10-time champion) was drawn to meet defending champion – India.
On Tuesday, Malaysia finished the Group D competition as runners-up after losing 3-2 to Denmark, who will now face Taiwan in another quarter-final tie.
In the initial stage, Malaysia succeeded in defeating Hong Kong and Algeria, each with a score of 5-0, before accepting defeat 2-3 against Denmark in the final group match.
The defeat saw Malaysia emerge as runners-up in the group, while Denmark, led by the world’s number one singles player, Viktor Axelsen, claimed the group D champion.
In the 2022 Thomas Cup Finals was held in Thailand two years ago, the Malaysian team ended the campaign in the quarter-finals after losing 2-3 to defending champions – India.
Thomas Cup Finals quarter-finals draw:
China vs India (Thursday)
Japan vs Malaysia (Thursday)
South Korea vs Indonesia (Friday)
Taiwan vs Denmark (Friday)
Uber Cup Finals quarter-finals draw:
China vs Denmark (Thursday)
Japan vs India (Thursday)
Indonesia vs Thailand (Friday)
Korea vs Chinese Taipei (Friday)
