Malaysian netizens express disappointment and sadness over Thomas Cup results

*Cover photo credits to Reuters

Thirty years and counting seems to be the case for Malaysia and its quest to reclaim the Thomas Cup after losing to India 2-3 at the quarter-finals on 12 May.

Malaysian badminton fans did not take this loss lightly by flooding social media with messages of disappointment and sadness.

Many felt that the line-up used for the match against India had not been a suitable tactical strategy despite its success in defeating Japan at the group stage.

Facebook users questioned the decision to maintain Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin instead of fielding Tokyo Olympics bronze medalists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik as the first men’s doubles.

Nurul Najwa said in a tweet that Chia and Soh are more skillful in flat games, adding that India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty have never beaten them in their last three encounters.

That night during the quarter-finals, Goh and Izzuddin failed to deliver the second point and went down 19-21, 15-21 against the Indian World No. 8 pair.

Those on Instagram have also called upon the Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM) to strengthen their other men’s singles players after the second and third men’s singles in the lineup, Ng Tze Yong and Leong Jun Hao, could not put Malaysia back into the lead.

Ng went down 11-21, 17-21 to K. Srikanth whereas Leong was beaten 13-21, 8-21 by H.S. Prannoy.

Instagram user @plumberriesw said it will be difficult for Malaysia to reclaim the Thomas Cup title if BAM only relies on reigning Asian Champion Lee Zii Jia and the men’s doubles department to get the job done.

Despite crashing out at the quarterfinals, some credited all the shuttlers and coaches for giving their best efforts in each match.

Twitter user @dearcloud94 reminded fellow Malaysians not to play the blaming game over the results.

This is Malaysia’s first defeat to India in the Thomas Cup Finals since 1979.

Malaysia last brought home the title in 1992 when the prestigious badminton tournament was held in Kuala Lumpur.