Malaysia’s hopes of finally toppling Japan in the Sudirman Cup were kept alive momentarily thanks to a heroic performance by team captain Leong Jun Hao, who delivered a stirring victory over world No. 8 Kodai Naraoka. In a fiercely contested men’s singles match during the Group C encounter held in Xiamen, China, on Friday (May 1), Jun Hao overcame adversity to secure a 21-8, 13-21, 21-18 win, showcasing resilience and tactical composure.
Coming into the match with a psychological edge—having triumphed in three of their previous four encounters—Jun Hao was quick off the mark, dominating the first game with aggressive plays and well-timed smashes. However, the determined Naraoka, known for his relentless pace and knack for dragging matches into extended battles, clawed his way back into the tie in the second game, forcing the match into a decider.
Jun Hao Give Promising 2-0 Lead for Malaysia
Despite the momentum swinging in favor of the Japanese star, Jun Hao maintained his composure. In the crucial third game, he executed a patient yet calculated approach, drawing errors from his opponent and capitalizing on every opportunity. His victory gave Malaysia a promising 2-0 lead and temporarily ignited hopes of a memorable group-stage upset over their long-time rivals.
Malaysia’s campaign had started on a strong note earlier in the evening at Fenghuang Gymnasium, with the mixed doubles pairing of Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei setting the tone with an efficient performance. The duo impressed with a straight-sets win over Japan’s Hiroki Midorikawa and Arisa Igarashi, claiming a 21-19, 21-18 victory in just 39 minutes. Their synergy and aggressive net play proved decisive.
However, the lead would not last. Despite valiant efforts, the Malaysian squad couldn’t maintain their momentum as Japan mounted a dramatic comeback in the remaining matches.
In the women’s singles, Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei faced a tough challenge against rising Japanese shuttler Tomoka Miyazaki. Though Jin Wei showed glimpses of her quality and battled hard, Miyazaki proved too consistent, winning 21-14, 21-17. Jin Wei later acknowledged the strength of her opponent, stating that Miyazaki’s superior shuttle control and court coverage made the difference.
The men’s doubles encounter, featuring Asian champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, was arguably the most dramatic. The Malaysian pair started brilliantly, clinching the opening game 21-12 and looked poised to close the tie. But Japan’s former world champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi staged a superb comeback. In a pulsating three-game thriller, the Japanese duo edged Malaysia 20-22, 21-23, stealing the victory and pushing the tie to a deciding match.
The Malaysian Pair Started Strong
With the score tied at 2-2, the burden of sealing the win fell on women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah. Facing the world No. 2 team of Nami Matsuyama and Chiharu Shida, the Malaysian pair started strong, grabbing the first game 21-18. However, despite their tireless defense and sharp attacking play, they eventually succumbed 21-18, 19-21, 18-21 in another close encounter, marking a heartbreaking end to the tie.
Despite the 2-3 defeat, Malaysia’s fighting spirit was evident throughout the night. The team finishes second in Group C behind Japan and still secures a spot in the quarter-finals. The draw for the next stage will take place following the conclusion of all group-stage matches.
Jun Hao’s gritty victory over a top-10 opponent served as a bright spot in the contest and reflected his leadership on and off the court. Though the result didn’t go Malaysia’s way, their performance suggests they remain a threat in the knockout rounds.
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