Thomas Cup 2024: Malaysia Beats Hong Kong 5-0

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Lee Zii Jia wins the first point for the Malaysia Thomas Cup team on Saturday. (Photo: Shi Tang/Getty Images)
Lee Zii Jia wins the first point for the Malaysia Thomas Cup team on Saturday. (Photo: Shi Tang/Getty Images)

Chengdu: The Malaysian men’s team kicked off the 2024 Thomas Cup campaign in style by securing a 5-0 victory over Hong Kong in the first Group D action held at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium in Chengdu, China, on Saturday.

The first point for the Malaysian Thomas Cup squad was clinched by Malaysia’s professional singles player, Lee Zii Jia, who defeated Lee Cheuk Yiu in straight sets 21-18, 21-18 in 45 minutes. With this win, their head-to-head record is now tied at 2-2 after four meetings.

Highlights of Lee Zii Jia vs. Lee Cheuk Yiu in the first Group D tie in the 2024 Thomas Cup Finals:

“Overall, it’s good, and I can contribute one point to the Malaysian team,” said Lee.

“To be honest, I felt quite pressured before because I knew personally that this point was very important for the team.”

“I just gave my best… Cheuk Yiu and I have met many times before, and we know each other’s abilities.”

The Malaysian men’s pair of Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik continued to put pressure on Hong Kong by securing the second point for the team after defeating the pair of Law Cheuk Him/Yeung Shing Choi 21-16, 21-12 in 27 minutes.

The momentum was then continued by the second singles player, Leong Jun Hao, who managed to come back after losing the first set to defeat Angus Ng Ka Long with a score of 17-21, 21-12, 21-15.

“I knew I would face Angus, so I prepared, and watched videos on how to compete with him, and all the preparation and planning paid off. I am happy to have helped the team secure a point,” said Leong.

The Malaysian men’s doubles team of Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin Rumsani kept the team comfortably ahead by defeating Reginald Lee Chun Hei/Tang Chun Man 21-19, 21-18 before Malaysia’s third singles player, Justin Hoh, sealed the 5-0 victory for Malaysia.

Justin won the fifth point for Malaysia after defeating Chan Yin Chak 21-17, 19-21, 21-17 in 59 minutes. Malaysia is scheduled to face Algeria tomorrow before meeting Denmark, the champions of the 2016 edition, on Tuesday.

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