KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- National singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen has teased a potentially strong lineup for Malaysia’s Sudirman Cup 2025 Group C opener against France at the Xiamen Fenghuang Gymnasium in Xiamen, China, tomorrow.
Despite facing an understrength French squad, Jonassen reminded the players that it is important for them to maintain focus, treat the match seriously and find ways to establish a strong start during the prestigious tournament.
“I can't really go into the details about our team tomorrow but, I think overall, as I said it's about putting up a strong line-up that we believe can get the job done.
“To get the best possible outcome in this group stage, we need to win tomorrow. We understand what it means when we play a weaker side, on paper at least, but we need to stay focused and commit to our game plan,” he said in an audio recording the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) shared with the media today.
For this campaign, France have left out several stars, including two newly-crowned European Championships winners - world number 10 Alex Lanier (men’s singles) and Christo Popov-Toma Junior Popov (men’s doubles).
Malaysia, meanwhile, will be strengthened by experienced senior players such as Leong Jun Hao (men’s singles); world number two Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, 2025 Asian champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (men’s doubles); Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles); and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women’s doubles).
Other players listed include Justin Hoh (men’s singles) Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa (women’s singles) as well as Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (mixed doubles).
After France, Malaysia will face Australia on Tuesday before concluding their group fixtures against third seeds Japan on Thursday (May 1).
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals of the April 27-May 4 tournament.
-- BERNAMA
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