Kunshan: The 2014 Thomas Cup runners-up Malaysia ousted Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the quarterfinals at the Kunshan Sports Center Stadium on Thursday to set up a semifinal clash against Denmark on Friday.
Lee Chong Wei led the Malaysian team to the semi-finals by defeating top Taiwanese Chou Tien Chen in straight-sets 21-18, 21-18.
However, Malaysian first doubles pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong lost to Lee Sheng Mu/Tsai Chia Hsin after squandered a 16-13 lead in the decider to go down 21-16, 19-21, 19-21.
With the tie level at 1-1, Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin looked in top form in the second singles to defeat Hsu Jen Hao 21-8, 21-13 and regain Malaysia’s advantage.
Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong came back from an 8-14 deficit in the second set and reeled off 3 consecutive points when trailed 19-20 to win the decisive second men’s doubles match as Malaysia clinched it 3-1.
Malaysia will play Denmark who edged past Japan 3-2 in other quarterfinals.
After the tie, Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) technical director, Morten Frost Hansen praised Iskandar for his outstanding performance throughout the crucial stages, but was not too happy about performance from the men’s doubles.
“Iskandar played really great, and I hope he keep his fine run of form. However, I will have to have some talk with our doubles pairs, they have been playing their best, but we need to have some discussions,” said Frost.
