KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia still have “a long journey” ahead before they can consistently challenge the world’s best, said national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen after the team were eliminated from the Sudirman Cup quarter-finals following a 3-0 defeat to China.
“We’ve got our hands full by China today,” Jonassen admitted. “They were simply too strong, but we also learnt the true value of playing against a world-class team performing at their peak.”
While acknowledging the gulf in standards, Jonassen remained hopeful, stressing that Malaysia are on the right path — if not yet fully ready.
“When we get our gameplay right and believe in ourselves, even if we don’t win the point, we’re doing the right things,” he said in an interview with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) today.
“I believe we’re moving in a positive direction, but the journey is still long before we reach that highest level.”
Malaysia’s challenge ended without top doubles pairs Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah stepping onto court, as China wrapped up the tie in the first three matches.
Mixed doubles world No.4 pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei fell 21-17, 21-17 to Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping in the opening match.
Leong Jun Hao, who had stunned world No.8 Kodai Naraoka in the final group match against Japan yesterday, was unable to repeat that performance and went down 21-6, 21-14 to world No.1 Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles.
The tie was sealed in the women’s singles, where former Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei breezed past K. Letshanaa 21-8, 21-6.
Malaysia had earned their quarter-final berth after finishing second in Group C but missed the chance to top the group following a 3-2 defeat to Japan in their final group-stage tie.
That result also saw men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik suffer a tight loss — a performance that men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi believes showed promise, despite mistakes.
“Aaron and Wooi Yik were a bit unlucky. There were some errors, but overall their game is on the right track,” said Herry.
“They need to increase their strength and power, especially for overhead shots. More work in the gym is needed.”
China, who have won the Sudirman Cup a record 13 times, will face Japan in the semi-finals tomorrow. — May 2, 2025