2010 Thomas Cup, Malaysia to meet China in semi-final

Malaysia's 3rd singles - Hafiz Hashim beat Denmark's Joachim Persson 21-12, 21-10 to clinch Malaysia's semifinal berth. Hafiz is the 2003 All England champion.



Highlights of the Malaysia vs Denmark match

Malaysia will meet mighty China in the Thomas Cup semi-final after a 3-2 victory over Denmark on the night of May 12, 2010 at the Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Indonesia will face surprise semifinalist Japan in the other semi-final.

The full results:

MALAYSIA 3 DENMARK 2

Lee Chong Wei defeated Peter Hoeg Gade 21-17, 21-17; Malaysia's world no. 1, Lee Chong Wei lived up to his billing as the best shuttler in the world. Peter Gade - the world no. 4 and 5 times European Champion and 9 times Danish National Champion, gave his best and fought hard, but Chong Wei prevailed in front of the ecstasic home fans. Chong Wei is in his best form, having won all 3 super series tournament he took part this year - the 2010 Malaysian Open, the 2010 Korean Open and the 2010 All England Championship. Syabas and bravo Chong Wei.


Koo Kien Keat/Tan Boon Heong defeated Carsten Mogensen/Mathias Boe 21-17, 21-19; Currrent men doubles world no. 1 Kien Keat and Boon Heong, did not disappoint the home supporters, their superb performance helped trounced the Dane.

Wong Choong Hann lost to Jan O Jorgensen 20-22, 21-16, 18-21; in the 1st set, Choon Hann - the 1997 world championship runners-up, led Jorgensen 20-17, but lost his nerves and subsequently went down 20-22. Choon Hann came back strongly in the 2nd set, winning 21-16. In the deciding game - Choon Hann tried his best but Jorgensen maintained his composure to win 21-18, much to the dissapointment of the local supporters. Jorgensen led Denmark fight back, he knew he must win as Denmark was then trailing 0-2.


Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif/Hoon Thien How lost to Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen 26-24, 12-21, 19-21; Zakry partnered Hoon Thien How after the disastrous outing against Japan, the day before in the group stage. At the Japan-Malaysia match, Zakry partnered Fairuzizuan Tazari and lost in 2 games to the Japanese doubles. Fairuzizuan lost his cool and made a hand gesture towards the crowd. This time, Hoon Thien How and Zakry fought gallantly for over 1 hour against the current and reigning All England Champion before conceding defeat. It was a tough tough match. Bravo Thien How and Zakry.


Muhd Hafiz Hashim defeated Joachim Persson 21-12, 21-10. Hafiz finally delivered for Malaysia when it matters most. Hafiz won easily, much to the delight of the home crowd. Hafiz, the 2002 Commonwealth Games Champion and 2003 All England champion, has the right bulid as world leading badminton player - his 6 feet 2 inches height and reach and wide array of strokes and shots. But he has the penchant of failing to win at the highest level and when it mattered most. Bravo Hafiz. Make sure you win against Bao Chun Lai.


Bravo Malaysia, Bravo Malaysia, Bravo Malaysia....... Please repeat the 1992 feat when Malaysia won the 1992 Thomas Cup in Kuala Lumpur.



That year, Rashid Sidek, Foo Kok Keong, Razif-Jalani Sidek and Cheah Soon Kit-Soo Beng Kiang, made Malaysia proud and number 1 badminton nation in the world.

Malaysia beat Indonesia 3-2 in that final, ending a 25 year wait. In the earlier semifinal match, Malaysia disposed mighty China.